Popular Post ASEAN NOW Sales Posted February 21, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 21, 2022 Thailand has recently approved the de facto decriminalization of cannabis and has become the first country in Asia to take such a liberal stance. But before you begin growing or smoking pot for recreational purposes, you should know that the Thai authorities have left a gray area around this. So to ensure you stay within the realms of the law, our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand will shed light on everything you need to know. What is the legal status of cannabis? It’s a misconception to view cannabis (a plant species to which both marijuana and hemp belong) as fully legal. All that’s happened is that public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a ministerial announcement in February 2022 officially removing the drug from Category 5 of the country’s list of narcotics, which will be effective 120 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette. Tetrahydrocannabinol While cannabis will be allowed for medicinal uses, recreational uses are an entirely different matter. As such, cannabis that contains more than 0.2% by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will remain banned given that THC is the psychoactive ingredient that gives users a high and is associated with recreational use. Who has been the driving force behind cannabis decriminalization? It’s no surprise that Anutin has been the driving force in the decriminalization of marijuana. As leader of the Bhumjai Thai Party, a major partner in the coalition government, he campaigned in the 2019 general election for the legalization of marijuana production to help farmers. His most recent move is also seen as helping promote cannabis products (in the areas of medical and healthcare benefits) as a major industry in Thailand. Are you allowed to produce/possess cannabis? The production and possession of the drug remains heavily regulated. According to Anutin, Thais will be able to grow cannabis legally for medical purposes but this must be done by a minimum of seven people in the form of community enterprise and must have permission from the relevant authority. When it comes to use, the regulations surrounding the extracts of cannabis will ensure that they are used for medical, research, or industrial purposes only. Jail term for production/possession of cannabis A word of warning: If your production and/or possession of cannabis doesn’t fall under the aforementioned categories, this is considered a criminal offense and you can still be jailed. How about the “Cannabis Sandbox” being proposed? Yes, you read that right. The government is proposing a “cannabis sandbox” entry scheme to bring in marijuana enthusiasts from overseas. Travelers will be able to roam freely in approved areas without undergoing quarantine and cannabis products will be involved. That being said, it’s likely that the government means cannabis products with very low traces of THC. In any case, a public hearing on this scheme will be held in February 2022. Unlocking the health benefits of cannabis Cannabis has a long history of use in Thailand and was a part of traditional Thai life for hundreds of years. Up until it was criminalized, cannabis was used medicinally to treat conditions such as migraine headaches, cholera, malaria, digestion problems, and post-childbirth pain. Today, many people are turning to cannabis once again for its medicinal purposes. For example, the Cancer Alliance Hospital Siracha in Chon Buri Province established a medical marijuana department to improve cancer treatment. To learn more about Thailand’s healthcare and health-related regulations or for help securing private health insurance (so that you can access the best medical services without paying out of pocket), you're more than welcome to contact Pacific Prime Thailand today! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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