Thailand Introduces New Bill to Regulate Cannabis While Keeping It Legal

[webfact]

FILE - AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

 

Thailand has unveiled a new bill aimed at regulating its cannabis industry while largely limiting marijuana use to health and medical purposes. This move comes from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's administration, striving for a balanced policy after several inconsistent approaches.

 

Published by the Ministry of Public Health, the draft legislation allows the use of cannabis and its extracts for medical treatment and research by state agencies.

 

Additionally, it permits the plant's inclusion in herbal, food, and cosmetic products. Notably, unlike previous proposals from former premier Srettha Thavisin’s administration, this bill does not explicitly ban recreational cannabis use or reclassify the plant as a narcotic.

 

The proposed law, however, includes strict penalties for unauthorised cannabis consumption, with fines reaching up to 60,000 baht (£1,350). Sellers of non-compliant cannabis products could face up to a year in jail or fines of up to 100,000 baht (£2,260), or both.

The legislation aims to address the widespread usage of cannabis in Thailand, the first Asian country to decriminalise the plant in 2022. Since then, over 9,400 cannabis dispensaries have opened nationwide, particularly in tourist hotspots and business districts.

 

Cannabis regulation was a significant topic in last year's national elections. The ruling Pheu Thai Party initially promised to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic to combat addiction concerns. However, opposition from the Bhumjaithai Party, a crucial coalition partner, led to a compromise to keep the plant legal, reported BLOOMBERG.

 

The draft bill proposes stringent licensing rules for cannabis cultivation, sales, exports, and imports. Existing growers and suppliers will need to apply for new licenses to avoid hefty penalties, including jail terms and fines.

 

While the proposed legislation could offer a clear framework for the cannabis industry, it poses challenges for growers, dispensaries, and consumer-agro firms. These businesses must ensure their products contain no more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high.”

 

Public and industry stakeholders have until 30th September to submit feedback on the proposed bill. The Ministry of Public Health may revise the legislation before presenting it to the cabinet, who will then forward it to parliament for approval.

 

-- 2024-09-20

 

 

[webfact]

The Cannabis & Hemp Act of Thailand just dropped: 2025 marks the beginning of Thailand's cannabis leadership in the region

 

Keepers of the supply chain face stricter oversight; consumers will be punished with fines for sheer stupidity only.

 

Carl K Linn

Thailand unveils new bill to regulate cannabis while keeping it legal

 

As of January 1st, 2025, cannabis consumers in Thailand will have access to the same wide array of dry flower currently available.

 

Bloomberg

 

Big trouble could come to those who break simple rules: Do not smoke in public. Do not consume extracts with more than 2 % THC without explicit permission. Do not consume if you are under 20, pregnant or breastfeeding.

 

These rules have been present for at least one year, with no enforcement.

 

The significance of this final draft is in what’s missing: There is no “illegalization of recreational use” - which, to make any sense at all, would have required reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic. There is no language requiring cards or pre-existing conditions. These conventional barriers to medical cannabis may be added over the next few months - we shall see.

This is a clear win for Deputy Prime Minister Anutin:

 

“The easy availability of the drug became a hot-button political issue during the national election last year, with the ruling Pheu Thai Party vowing to re-list marijuana as a narcotic to restrict its use to just medical purposes due to concerns over addiction. But opposition from Bhumjaithai Party, the second-biggest group in the ruling coalition, has forced Pheu Thai to walk back on its pledge and keep the plant legal.”

 

Cannabis in Thailand will be classified as a medicinal herb. Most new restrictions target the keepers of the supply chains, with tighter licensing, and more transparency.

 

Penalties for violation include heavy fines and up to one year in jail.

 

Full story: arlklinn.substack

-- 2024-09-20
 

 

[webfact]

Thailand Opens Public Feedback on Draft Cannabis and Hemp Law
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

National — On September 18th, 2024, Thai national media reported that the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has opened public consultations on the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act, running from September 16th to the 30th through the law.go.th website.

The public, including farmers, business operators, and citizens, are invited to provide feedback on key aspects of the draft law here. The proposed legislation includes the establishment of a Cannabis and Hemp Board, chaired by the Thai Minister of Public Health, which would be responsible for overseeing the regulation, promotion, and safe use of cannabis and hemp, particularly in medical, agricultural, and industrial sectors.

The draft outlines licensing requirements for growing, producing, importing, exporting, and selling cannabis and hemp. While roots, branches, leaves, stems, and seeds are less regulated, cannabis flowers will face stricter control, requiring government licenses for sale, production, and export, according to Thai national media.

Special permits will also be required for each import or export transaction. Cultivation licenses will be categorized by the size of the farm, ranging from small (up to 5 rai), medium (5 to 20 rai), and large (over 20 but up to 400 rai).

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 

-- 2024-09-20
 

 

[dinsdale]

Thailand has unveiled a new bill aimed at regulating its cannabis industry while largely limiting marijuana use to health and medical purposes. - NO

Thailand has unveiled a new bill aimed at regulating its cannabis industry while largely limiting marijuana use to health and medical purposes with recreational use remaining decriminalised. - YES

[Jingthing]

They want to raise more tax?

Stop terrorizing retired expats.

Instead, make recreational weed explicitly legal, the higher the THC level the better, closely regulate it from Thai farm to stoner, and then tax the flippin' puck out of it.

Sorted!

But that would be too logical wouldn't it?

Instead drive it underground and don't tax it.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Published by the Ministry of Public Health, the draft legislation allows the use of cannabis and its extracts for medical treatment and research by state agencies.

 

Additionally, it permits the plant's inclusion in herbal, food, and cosmetic products. Notably, unlike previous proposals from former premier Srettha Thavisin’s administration, this bill does not explicitly ban recreational cannabis use or reclassify the plant as a narcotic.

So a complete back track

[AlaskaDave]

Round and round we go.

Ridiculous. Tax it fully, regulate its strength, allow people to use it recreationally, and enjoy the benefits to both users and government revenue coffers.

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Additionally, it permits the plant's inclusion in herbal, food, and cosmetic products. Notably, unlike previous proposals from former premier Srettha Thavisin’s administration, this bill does not explicitly ban recreational cannabis use or reclassify the plant as a narcotic.

 

The proposed law, however, includes strict penalties for unauthorised cannabis consumption, with fines reaching up to 60,000 baht (£1,350). Sellers of non-compliant cannabis products could face up to a year in jail or fines of up to 100,000 baht (£2,260), or both.

"recreational use" now called "unauthorised use".

Edited 8 minutes ago by dinsdale

[wombat]

Another bill another dollar

 

[Aussie999]

Wait, was6that what it was originally "legalised" for... So what is the difference.

[gargamon]

Tax it but regulate it like Canada where each package is labeled with the correct thc, etc content and growing conditions are regulated.