Phuket Moves to Rein in Cannabis Use to Safeguard Tourist Appeal

Phuket Moves to Rein in Cannabis Use to Safeguard Tourist Appeal

Officials in the resort province of Phuket are calling for tighter regulation of cannabis after a surge in incidents involving erratic behaviour by foreign visitors, which is harming the destination’s image. Tourism-industry and government representatives say that repeated cases of tourists smoking multiple joints and exhibiting hallucinations or dangerous conduct are creating a growing concern. The private sector in Phuket supports shifting cannabis toward strictly medical use rather than recreational and wants consultation with vendors on responsible sales practices. Lawmakers have proposed zoning rules to confine consumption to certain areas and to ban sales outlets in cultural zones such as Old Phuket Town. Authorities argue that unchecked cannabis use, along with issues like low-grade product supply, is straining the island’s appeal as a family-friendly destination.