Thailand legalizes recreational marijuana

 Thai people are already celebrating the government's decision! Aficionados of recreational marijuana smoking have gathered in the center of Bangkok to smoke a symbolic joint!

In 2018, Thailand legalized medical marijuana as the first country in East Asia. In 2019, the leader of the Bhumjai Thai party campaigned for the legal production of recreational marijuana. From 2021, Thailand allowed the production of food and cosmetic products with hemp containing CBD. Such products, however, could not contain the psychoactive THC - tetrahydrocannabinol. At the end of January 2022, the Ministry of Health of Thailand decided to legalize recreational marijuana. This is a huge change, because until now recreational marijuana has been treated in Thailand as a drug, the possession or cultivation of which could result in up to 15 years in prison!
Marijuana is now to be removed from the list qualifying it as a drug. As announced, it will be possible to smoke marijuana for recreational purposes, sell and cultivate for medical purposes. As always, it remains to wait until the new laws formally enter into force. This is to happen in the coming months, specifically within 120 days of the publication of the new laws. According to the information provided by the Minister of Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, a ready draft law with precise guidelines on the cultivation of marijuana, its sale and possession is yet to be presented.

Legal marijuana to help Thai farmers and entrepreneurs!

The Minister of Health and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that the government is keen to help farmers and entrepreneurs, and legal marijuana is to provide this assistance. After the new regulations come into force in Thailand, it will be possible to grow cannabis at home. However, according to the available information, home cultivation will only be possible for medical purposes. The exact limits are not yet known, but it is known that it will be necessary to notify local authorities. Sale or production will most likely require obtaining appropriate licenses.

Thailand counts on hundreds of millions of dollars in profit from cannabis cultivation. Last year, Prihibition Partners (a British company) estimated that the legal hemp market in Thailand alone could be worth up to $3 million over the next three years. The new marijuana laws are also intended to encourage more tourists to come. This will certainly result in even greater profits!

Marijuana and fines in Thailand

As announced by the Thai Minister of Health, the production and cultivation of cannabis without obtaining appropriate licenses will be punishable by a fine or even imprisonment for up to 3 years. All that remains is to learn the rules for obtaining a license!