The rollback of cannabis laws in Thailand is moving forward

Lawmakers in Thailand are continuing their plan to reclassify cannabis as a drug, presenting a draft regulation this week that would change the legal status of cannabis. Thailand removed cannabis from its national drug list in June 2022.

Thailand’s historic 2022 cannabis policy change was expected to pave the way for the country’s emerging cannabis industry to grow into a regional and international powerhouse. Any household across the country could initially register to legally grow low-THC cannabis, which an estimated 1.1 million Thai citizens did.

In a moment of historic change in Thailand in 2022, the country’s public health minister indicated that there would be no plant limit in the government’s cannabis cultivation program. The Thai government also distributed over 1 million hemp seeds directly to households that signed up for the program.

A broad spectrum of government agencies in Thailand have agreed to contribute to the development of Thailand’s burgeoning cannabis industry following a policy change in 2022. However, times have clearly changed and Thailand is set to make a dramatic shift in cannabis policy. According to Yahoo News: :

According to the draft regulations published on Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Health will re-include cannabis buds on the list of “fifth category” drugs from January 1. However, the use of various other parts of the plant, including the roots and leaves, will remain legal.

The ministry will receive public comment on the proposal by June 25. Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said Tuesday he would listen to suggestions from both supporters and opponents of cannabis.

Scientists estimate that Thailand’s policy change in 2022 will result in approximately 12,000 cannabis dispensaries opening across the country. The clinics operate under three-year licenses issued by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine and employ approximately 60,000 people.

The current draft regulation, which was published earlier this week, provides no grace period for cannabis businesses in Thailand, and the industry is likely to come to a grinding halt. Medical marijuana will continue to be allowed in Thailand, although details on what that will ultimately look like remain elusive.

This article first appeared internationalcbc.com and is distributed here with special permission.

Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash