A small conversation in a Chiang Mai Weed Shop.

[SamSanuk]

I rarely smoke, but when I do, I partake with a very weak sativa strain that is hard to find these days. So when I pass by a weed shop, I stop in briefly to see if they carry this strain. This time, I was in a Santitham neighborhood.

 

A nicely dressed young couple was inside looking to finish up a purchase. By their English they seemed to be Eastern European. The young man had a $1000 baht bill out and on the counter were a few small plastic bags of weed. All seemed well, they looked happy with their purchase, when the seller brought out a single sheet of paper, explaining in broken English they needed to show their passport, fill in their names, passport number and sign the document.

 

The couple paused, said a few words to each other in their language, then said that sadly they couldn’t consent to the purchase. I spoke up and said that Thailand is changing its recreational weed laws, and this is part of the new process.

 

The young lady turned to me, and very nicely said that weed is illegal in her country, and they couldn’t take the risk of this purchase showing up on their passport upon returning home. They apologized to the seller and left the shop.

 

Now, imagine this happening all across Thailand, and the chilling effect is very much there. I’m American and could care less what Uncle Sam thinks about my purchase of weed in Thailand. But for others from countries that frown on weed with repressive laws? It might be too much a risk. 
 

And so it goes.

[AndyAndyAndy]

If the client doesn't have a passport, you simply mark it as a purchase under one of the previous customers who had one, no? Opportunity for business optimization.