Thailand Plans Year-End Ban on Recreational Cannabis

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

In a bid to assert greater control over recreational cannabis consumption, Thailand is set to impose a ban by the end of the year, according to statements from the country's health minister in an exclusive interview with Reuters.

 

Since blazing the trail in Southeast Asia with the legalization of medicinal marijuana in 2018, followed by the nod to recreational use in 2022, Thailand has witnessed a rapid proliferation of the cannabis market.

 

The landscape now boasts an abundance of tens of thousands of cannabis outlets, with industry projections soaring to a monumental $1.2 billion valuation by the upcoming fiscal year.

 

However, amidst this exponential growth, concerns have surfaced regarding the swift implementation of regulations, which were swiftly introduced within a week of decriminalization.

 

In response to these apprehensions, the Thai government is moving forward with drafting a comprehensive law designed to oversee cannabis consumption, slated for enactment by year-end.

 

Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew disclosed during a Wednesday briefing the urgency of establishing robust regulations, stressing the imminent risk of cannabis misuse, particularly in recreational contexts.

 

The proposed legislation is expected to undergo meticulous scrutiny within the cabinet next month, followed by parliamentary review, with the aim of securing final approval before the year's end.

 

"The detrimental effects of cannabis misuse on Thai children are concerning," he emphasized. "In the long term, it could potentially pave the way for involvement with other substances."

 

The preceding administration failed to pass legislation through parliament prior to the general election last May, leaving Thailand without a comprehensive law to regulate cannabis use, reported Reuters.

 

Cholnan further stated that cannabis shops operating unlawfully will not be permitted to continue, and domestic cultivation of cannabis will also be discouraged. He noted that currently, there are approximately 20,000 legally registered shops.

 

"In the forthcoming law, cannabis will be classified as a controlled plant, necessitating permission for cultivation," he explained. "We will encourage cannabis cultivation for medical and health-related purposes."

 

Under the proposed legislation, penalties for recreational cannabis use could include fines of up to 60,000 baht ($1,700).

 

Individuals involved in selling cannabis for recreational purposes or engaging in the promotion or marketing of cannabis products could face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to 100,000 baht ($2,800), or both.

 

Furthermore, the draft law imposes harsher penalties for unauthorized cannabis cultivation, including prison sentences ranging from one to three years and fines ranging from 20,000 baht ($560) to 300,000 baht ($8,000).

 

The minister also emphasized that permits will now be required for the import, export, cultivation, and commercial use of cannabis.

 

Acknowledging the economic potential of the cannabis industry, the government intends to provide businesses with a transition period to adapt to the new regulations, Cholnan noted.

 

Existing shops will be allowed to operate until their licenses expire and have the option to convert into legal cannabis clinics if they comply with the new regulations. He also reassured that the new regulations would not adversely affect tourism.

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-03-01

 

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[stoner]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

"The detrimental effects of cannabis misuse on Thai children are concerning," he emphasized. "In the long term, it could potentially pave the way for involvement with other substances."

 

this old chestnut eh. 

 

pm2.5 is a far greater risk to thai children than cannabis can or ever will be. prove me wrong. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

It will be a complete mess to implement, and some officials will get very rich receiving backhanders for licences, or to turn a blind eye to those that are not in compliance. 

 

Stopping people growing at home after hundreds of thousands have registered to do so is pure folly. 

 

So typically Thai though, a complete mess from start to finish. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

He also reassured that the new regulations would not adversely affect tourism.

 

His opinion, or was a study conducted to this effect?

 

No need to answer, it is a rhetorical question. 

[Denim]

Thailand, the hub of volte face.

[Henryford]

"legal cannabis clinics" so nothing will change then.

[JonnyF]

I predict a complete mess where it is technically illegal, but tolerated, unless you upset someone in power or a cop needs to extort someone to pay the repayment on his mia noi's BMW. 

 

Much like vaping. 

[PJ71]

1 hour ago, Henryford said:

"legal cannabis clinics" so nothing will change then.

Correct, nothing will change.

 

The gennie is too far out of the bottle, long may it continue.

[huangnon]

19 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I predict a complete mess where it is technically illegal, but tolerated, unless you upset someone in power or a cop needs to extort someone to pay the repayment on his mia noi's BMW. 

 

Much like vaping. 

 

Yep, another "grey area" where cops can make money on selective enforcement.

 

Basically a 'gimme' to the BIB. Ho hum.

[Mr Meeseeks]

28 minutes ago, huangnon said:

 

Yep, another "grey area" where cops can make money on selective enforcement.

 

Basically a 'gimme' to the BIB. Ho hum.

 

Which was probably the biggest issue for the cowardly bullies when the extortion money dried up after June 2022. 

 

They will be salivating knowing their extortion racket is back on again.

[Guderian]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand is set to impose a ban by the end of the year,

 

Ten months away, it must be one of their main priorities then. <rolleyes>

[johnnybangkok]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

 

this old chestnut eh. 

 

pm2.5 is a far greater risk to thai children than cannabis can or ever will be. prove me wrong. 

 

[Grandpa Cool]

And just in case you aren't aware, Germany announced yesterday that it is legalising recreational cannabis.

Perhaps this is a chance for the Thailand government to modernise it's outlook and align it's laws with Germany's cannabis legislation structure.

[Modern Coding]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"The detrimental effects of cannabis misuse on Thai children are concerning," he emphasized. "In the long term, it could potentially pave the way for involvement with other substances."

 

Which ones? PM 2.5? mRNA? Insect-based lab-grown meat? GMO mosquitos? Artificial clouds?

I don't smoke weed, so I am not advocating for this, but I would be curious to know more explicitly about the "other substances"...

Edited March 1 by Modern Coding

[Jingthing]

Bad news.

The gateway drug thing is total hooey.

Heck -- milk is a gateway drug to heroin.

They could tighten laws about selling to underage only -- nobody would object to that.

So what will this mean in reality?

Will they be aggressively going after people using in the privacy of their own homes, or not?

Will they take and respond to "weed smell" snitches coming from people's own homes?

People will still want flower so it will still be available.

So no chance of having taxes on such sales now.

Risky for sellers then, but what about buyers?

Will it be the old school sell it and then pocket a reward for snitching game?

Will prices for flower go up or down?

Miserable change.

[ThaiFelix]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

"The detrimental effects of cannabis misuse on Thai children are concerning," he emphasized. "In the long term, it could potentially pave the way for involvement with other substances."

This of course could be controlled by having an active police force surely?   Oh wait............

[khunjeff]

It's adorable that the health minister seems to believe he has the power to enact legislation - his proposal hasn't even been discussed or voted on, so it's a bit rich to say "Thailand plans..."

[Mywayboy]

Planning to increase registration fees for sellers significantly me thinks. Typical Thai governments legalise something,  then legislate laws at a later date. 

Some mothers do have em others let em live sadly 😂 

[Tarteso]

Where is Anutin when we need him ?🤔

[alex8912]

What they don't address is their darling " children " access METH far easier and less expensive to get. They seem to be  blind to this. Also why on earth would they implement this during the absolute height of high season?  It's not just westerners buying in these dispensaries, I hear Malay, Chinese and Korean spoken all the time. 

[Aussie999]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo for reference only

 

In a bid to assert greater control over recreational cannabis consumption, Thailand is set to impose a ban by the end of the year, according to statements from the country's health minister in an exclusive interview with Reuters.

 

Since blazing the trail in Southeast Asia with the legalization of medicinal marijuana in 2018, followed by the nod to recreational use in 2022, Thailand has witnessed a rapid proliferation of the cannabis market.

 

The landscape now boasts an abundance of tens of thousands of cannabis outlets, with industry projections soaring to a monumental $1.2 billion valuation by the upcoming fiscal year.

 

However, amidst this exponential growth, concerns have surfaced regarding the swift implementation of regulations, which were swiftly introduced within a week of decriminalization.

 

In response to these apprehensions, the Thai government is moving forward with drafting a comprehensive law designed to oversee cannabis consumption, slated for enactment by year-end.

 

Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew disclosed during a Wednesday briefing the urgency of establishing robust regulations, stressing the imminent risk of cannabis misuse, particularly in recreational contexts.

 

The proposed legislation is expected to undergo meticulous scrutiny within the cabinet next month, followed by parliamentary review, with the aim of securing final approval before the year's end.

 

"The detrimental effects of cannabis misuse on Thai children are concerning," he emphasized. "In the long term, it could potentially pave the way for involvement with other substances."

 

The preceding administration failed to pass legislation through parliament prior to the general election last May, leaving Thailand without a comprehensive law to regulate cannabis use, reported Reuters.

 

Cholnan further stated that cannabis shops operating unlawfully will not be permitted to continue, and domestic cultivation of cannabis will also be discouraged. He noted that currently, there are approximately 20,000 legally registered shops.

 

"In the forthcoming law, cannabis will be classified as a controlled plant, necessitating permission for cultivation," he explained. "We will encourage cannabis cultivation for medical and health-related purposes."

 

Under the proposed legislation, penalties for recreational cannabis use could include fines of up to 60,000 baht ($1,700).

 

Individuals involved in selling cannabis for recreational purposes or engaging in the promotion or marketing of cannabis products could face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to 100,000 baht ($2,800), or both.

 

Furthermore, the draft law imposes harsher penalties for unauthorized cannabis cultivation, including prison sentences ranging from one to three years and fines ranging from 20,000 baht ($560) to 300,000 baht ($8,000).

 

The minister also emphasized that permits will now be required for the import, export, cultivation, and commercial use of cannabis.

 

Acknowledging the economic potential of the cannabis industry, the government intends to provide businesses with a transition period to adapt to the new regulations, Cholnan noted.

 

Existing shops will be allowed to operate until their licenses expire and have the option to convert into legal cannabis clinics if they comply with the new regulations. He also reassured that the new regulations would not adversely affect tourism.

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-03-01

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

10 months to backflip, again, and again  and again, etc

[kuzmabruk]

1 hour ago, PJ71 said:

Correct, nothing will change.

 

The gennie is too far out of the bottle, long may it continue.

Slight change … a doctor's prescription will be required to purchase medical maryjane … little brown envelopes will now change hands between retailers and the world renowned Thai medical professionals 

[Unclernie]

Some enterprising doctors will open 5 minute script clinics handing out prescription for ailments such as nausea insomnia and backaches! If politicians were smart (if they were, they wouldn’t be in politics)

[Thingamabob]

Pious piffle.

[Jingthing]

Just now, Unclernie said:

Some enterprising doctors will open 5 minute script clinics handing out prescription for ailments such as nausea insomnia and backaches! If politicians were smart (if they were, they wouldn’t be in politics)

Well it depends if flower with any decent level of THC will be allowed or not for medical. 

[alex8912]

29 minutes ago, Grandpa Cool said:

And just in case you aren't aware, Germany announced yesterday that it is legalising recreational cannabis.

Perhaps this is a chance for the Thailand government to modernise it's outlook and align it's laws with Germany's cannabis legislation structure.

Not sure why they would need Germany as a sample. Far better REAL results in many states in USA already. Even if you take one very small state like Massachusetts they had 1.56 Billion $$ in recreational sales in 2023 another $200+ million in medical sales. It's taxed and the state and each town get tons of $$ for all sorts of programs. My town gets new snow plows, police cars, donations to schools, veterans and people in the town down on their luck and some affordable housing donated from the dispensary as well. I don't think you can find a better model than Massachusetts. Prices are way down for the consumer as well. Extremely rare to ever smell marijuana smoke in or near a dispensary here.

[PJ71]

The simple solution is to stock pile now before all this BS starts.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, PJ71 said:

The simple solution is to stock pile now before all this BS starts.

Yes and no.

Cannabis has a shelf life.

If you stock up then you will have amounts that will probably invite charges of dealing if caught.

Again the question -- do they intend on going into people's homes looking for weed or not?

Even if not, if for some reason the police enter for any other reason, then you've got a problem. 

[wensiensheng]

The genie is out of this particular bottle, or box as Trump would say. Any regulation now is just a money earner for the bib 

[PJ71]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Yes and no.

Cannabis has a shelf life.

If you stock up then you will have amounts that will probably invite charges of dealing if caught.

Again the question -- do they intend on going into people's homes looking for weed or not?

Even if not, if for some reason the police enter for any other reason, then you've got a problem. 

I'm confident no one will come to my house to look for weed, this of no concern to me, i've had zero police visits in the 23 years i've been here ( bribe them with a spliff - lol ).

 

Edibles have no shelf life, not sure about raw weed if frozen of kept in sealed units?

 

There's also the potential just to grow your own, i know multiple people  doing this before it was legalised.