Consuming cannabis in Thailand: what tourists need to know about marijuana rules

[webfact]

Thailand has relaxed its cannabis rules, but tourists could still fall foul of the law if they consume marijuana in the wrong place. Photograph: Vachira Vachira/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock

 

EXPLAINER

 

After easing the ban on the recreational drug, Thailand has created a ‘weed Wild West’ with confusing rules. So what are tourists allowed to do?

 

Rebecca Root in Bangkok

 

Since the delisting of parts of the marijuana plant as a narcotic last year, cannabis cafes and weed dispensaries have become common in Thailand.

 

But confusing government amendments to the laws and continued debate about what should be permitted has created what has become known as “a weed Wild West” that could land tourists in trouble. “Since legalisation, no one really [knows] whether we have the correct information”, says Kitty Chopaka, an independent cannabis advocate based in Bangkok.

 

The ministry of public health has published a new guide, and “as long as tourists follow a set of a few simple rules. there’s nothing to fear”, says Mandel Menachem at cannabis information hub High Thailand.

So what is allowed, and what is out of bounds?

 

Who can consume cannabis?

People older than 20 and who are not pregnant or breastfeeding are legally allowed to consume cannabis.

 

Where can you consume it?

Smoking it can be done inside an individual’s residence, and cannabis inside food can be consumed at a licensed restaurant. 

 

Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/10/consuming-cannabis-in-thailand-what-tourists-need-to-know-marijuana-weed-rules

 

-- © Copyright The Guardian 2023-01-10

 

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[Shop mak]

In a  country famous for unlimited U-turns, how long until this become illegal again?

I bet within this year.

 

How many of the population actually use this? Less than 5%??

Still, in the news semi-weekly

[BritManToo]

13 minutes ago, Shop mak said:

How many of the population actually use this? Less than 5%??

Still, in the news semi-weekly

Every other house on my estate is growing, so more like 50%. Those not smoking add it to their food. 

[nikmar]

24 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Every other house on my estate is growing, so more like 50%. Those not smoking add it to their food. 

one thing I ve noticed within my own, admittedly limited, circle is that people i know would never dream of touching weed are now trying, experimenting and getting in to it. my neice and her friend are good examples. it's like a new toy for them - ""oooh cookies ..... ooooh ready rolled joints"

[Bill97]

You can smoke it and eat it as you wish but it is against the law to be stoned.

[Tarteso]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

‘weed Wild West’

Brilliant ! Grandiose, spectacular !!!

[alex8912]

2 hours ago, nikmar said:

one thing I ve noticed within my own, admittedly limited, circle is that people i know would never dream of touching weed are now trying, experimenting and getting in to it. my neice and her friend are good examples. it's like a new toy for them - ""oooh cookies ..... ooooh ready rolled joints"

That is actually very strange. The ones that are trying it are in their 20's perhaps?  Do they know if their " cookies" are strong or not? Did they smoke cigarettes before joints? Usually people who never did it before don't jump into it. 

[orang37]

I hear Kafka's applause.

[swm59nj]

I’m sure the tourists will really abide by the rules

[nikmar]

40 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

That is actually very strange. The ones that are trying it are in their 20's perhaps?  Do they know if their " cookies" are strong or not? Did they smoke cigarettes before joints? Usually people who never did it before don't jump into it. 

my niece and her friends are all 20 something girls. never smoked before, barely touched alcohol. there s people in my office as well. they are enjoying the edibles. ????

[Elkski]

The market will be for very controlled dose edibles and  vape oils, only a few select companies will have the capitol and expertise to get a new permit for this.   IMHO.  The hotel, tourism industry obviously had an even bigger stick than china. They don't want smoking rooms not usable for non smokers.  

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The ministry of public health has published a new guide, and “as long as tourists follow a set of a few simple rules. there’s nothing to fear”, says Mandel Menachem at cannabis information hub High Thailand.

Until the local plod says' "you're nicked"

[taninthai]

23 minutes ago, keithkarmann said:

It's a well known fact that it damages the brain. Just what the folks in charge want. More easy to control.

You got a link to that factual information please

[portlandtree]

Ask Forrest Gump it’s stupid as stupid can be! What they gonna do check my ice cream bar in public and ask me where I consumed the weed? Your wife gave it to me while we explored new positions 

[metisdead]

A post with derogatory generalizations toward Thai people and the replies have been removed.

[Robert Tyrrell]

4 hours ago, Shop mak said:

In a  country famous for unlimited U-turns, how long until this become illegal again?

I bet within this year.

 

How many of the population actually use this? Less than 5%??

Still, in the news semi-weekly

Cannabis is a huge cash crop both personal consumption and for Medical purposes, This is making hug revenue for Thailand as it does in many countries, I’m American ???????? And it’s nearly legal in almost every state.

5% Nope , It’s certainly consumed by many in Thailand ???????? For sure And certainly no worse then alcohol.

[TingTonger]

5 hours ago, Shop mak said:

In a  country famous for unlimited U-turns, how long until this become illegal again?

I bet within this year.

 

How many of the population actually use this? Less than 5%??

Still, in the news semi-weekly

Govt will not return to illegal,  cat outta bag maybe some rule changes but will never be illegal again…

[OldPedro]

I would suggest tourists stay well away from this stuff....even if it's claimed to be 0.2%, big fines await those silly enough to indulge.

[Shocked farang]

5 hours ago, nikmar said:

one thing I ve noticed within my own, admittedly limited, circle is that people i know would never dream of touching weed are now trying, experimenting and getting in to it. my neice and her friend are good examples. it's like a new toy for them - ""oooh cookies ..... ooooh ready rolled joints"

And people like me who have had a lot of past experience with it, specially in the teenage years now avoid it like a plague as it creates tolerance, once you smoke some continuously, you become more and more insensitive to it and some people are compelled to smoke more It's really like kissing a mermaid, I would not recommend but still think that everyone should try at least once. 

[Shocked farang]

39 minutes ago, Robert Tyrrell said:

Cannabis is a huge cash crop both personal consumption and for Medical purposes, This is making hug revenue for Thailand as it does in many countries, I’m American ???????? And it’s nearly legal in almost every state.

5% Nope , It’s certainly consumed by many in Thailand ???????? For sure And certainly no worse then alcohol.

Wow! Another one claiming "I'm an American in Thailand!", there's nothing new under the sun! 

[sambum]

2 hours ago, swm59nj said:

I’m sure the tourists will really abide by the rules

And if they don't, it won't be a $25 fine if they get caught!

[marin]

10 minutes ago, OldPedro said:

I would suggest tourists stay well away from this stuff....even if it's claimed to be 0.2%, big fines await those silly enough to indulge.

At least read the OP and the new law. Clearly you dont have a clue at all.

 

 

[Pinot]

4 hours ago, OldPedro said:

I would suggest tourists stay well away from this stuff....even if it's claimed to be 0.2%, big fines await those silly enough to indulge.

Okay Grandpa, thanks for the input.

 

Big fines. 

[1sickpuppy]

5 hours ago, taninthai said:

You got a link to that factual information please

No where as near brain damage that alcohol does, a proven fact and keeps Dip -hits happy, way easier to control, weed makes you think more, less easy to control, mr Emu with head in the sand

[whereyougo]

10 hours ago, nikmar said:

one thing I ve noticed within my own, admittedly limited, circle is that people i know would never dream of touching weed are now trying, experimenting and getting in to it. my neice and her friend are good examples. it's like a new toy for them - ""oooh cookies ..... ooooh ready rolled joints"

Novelty will wear off.  Most of the weed cafes are empty

[freedomnow]

What they need to know is some things are still grey area..specifically hashish...no foreigners had an issue with that in the press...yet.

 

It's simply not been dialed in on yet is all.

[freedomnow]

6 hours ago, taninthai said:

You got a link to that factual information please

He's been watching They Live again after some brutal bong sessions.

 

OBEY.

[JimboB4]

All you need to know is where to buy the best strains. 

[phetphet]

What I find funny are the names all these newly opened  shops are coming up with. Many, I suspect are backed by foreigners.

 

Some are even proposing delivery. Won't be long before we have weedpanda.com

 

 

[honcho]

14 hours ago, Bill97 said:

You can smoke it and eat it as you wish but it is against the law to be stoned.

you can drink but not allowed to get drunk....