Thailand on Thursday made legal the growth and trade of marijuana within set parameters — becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to do so.
Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told CNN that he hopes the move will help boost the country’s ailing economy, particularly its agricultural sector, which has been hit hard by rising fertilizer costs amid disruptions in the global supply chain.
The country’s tropical climate makes for an ideal place to cultivate the plant — and the government has taken steps to establish it as a cash crop. The health minister said last month that the government would distribute a million free cannabis plants, to jump-start the sector.
Although Thailand legalized the use of medical marijuana in 2018, Anutin warns that those who are caught using the drug in “nonproductive ways,” such as smoking joints outside, will still be met with harsh penalties, and could face up to three months behind bars and a fine of about $780. Officials said they were not looking to cultivate marijuana-fueled tourism.
“We [have always] emphasized using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and for health,” Anutin told CNN. “There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating people to use cannabis in terms of recreation — or use it in a way that it could irritate others.”
While that might be the official line, the changes in practice are likely to create substantial gray areas. A Health Ministry official told Reuters that nearly 100,000 people had already registered, on a government app called PlookGanja, to grow marijuana legally. There appears to be limited inclination to actively monitor what people are growing and smoking for their own use, the Associated Press reported.
The Thai Food and Drug Administration has removed marijuana and hemp from its Category 5 narcotics list, allowing cafes and restaurants across the country to serve cannabis-infused products that have no more than 0.2 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant’s main psychoactive compound.
According to the Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association, the market value of marijuana-related businesses is estimated at more than $1 billion and is expected to nearly double by 2024. The Global Cannabis Report, a trade publication, says the legal marijuana market is worth $100 billion worldwide.
Uruguay and Canada are the only two countries that have fully legalized the recreational use of marijuana. As of 2018, the possession and consumption of cannabis were made legal in Georgia. Most recently, in late 2021, Malta became the first European Union country to legalize recreational cannabis for personal use. A Supreme Court ruling in Mexico last year could open the door to legalization there.
But some places have moved in the opposite direction. This week, Hong Kong’s government announced plans to criminalize the manufacture, import, export, sale and possession of products containing CBD, a chemical extracted from cannabis that does not induce a high and is marketed to address anxiety and sleeplessness.
FAQs
Medical marijuana has been legal in Thailand since 2018, but decriminalization in 2022 took things a step further, making it no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products, or to use any parts of the plant to treat illnesses.
Is marijuana legal in Thailand in 2024? ›
Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise marijuana's medicinal use in 2018 and then recreational use in 2022. Thailand Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said that the country will ban the recreational use of marijuana by 2024 end, but will continue to allow its use for medical purposes.
How many dispensaries are in Thailand? ›
As of January 2023, the authority issued nearly 3,000 licenses to sell, grow, and process marijuana in Thailand, and more than 6,000 registered shops emerged around the country.
Is CBD legal in Thailand? ›
CBD and Thailand
CBD was perfectly safe to use in Thailand and was often added to various products, as were hemp seeds. Now, after the law was changed and decriminalized, it is to be allowed to use all parts of the plant, including those containing THC!
Is it legal to vape in Thailand? ›
Vaping is illegal in Thailand. The sale, possession, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping products are strictly prohibited, and violators can face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Thailand's strict anti-vaping regulations make it one of the countries with the most stringent policies against vaping.
Is it safe for tourists in Thailand? ›
In general, Thailand is one of the safest countries in southeast Asia for travelers. But laws are strict, and you have to take precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation. Where you go and what you intend to do in the country can mean different levels of safety for some travelers.
Is Thailand banning recreational marijuana? ›
Those caught using marijuana recreationally will be fined up to 60,000 baht ($1,700), while “those selling cannabis for such use and participating in advertisem*nt or marketing of buds, resin, extract or smoking devices face jail terms of up to a year, or a fine of up to 100,000 [$2,786] baht or both.” The draft law ...
What is the legal age to smoke Thailand? ›
Does the law establish a minimum age for the purchase of tobacco products? The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 20 years of age. The law meets FCTC Art. 16 in that it prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors.
How safe is Bangkok? ›
Overall, Bangkok is pretty safe to travel. In my experience as a solo female traveler, I never ran into any danger and felt safe even walking back to my accommodation late at night. However, Bangkok is a big city so you should definitely keep your street smarts about you.
Can a foreigner open a dispensary in Thailand? ›
Setting up a cannabis company requires incorporation of a Thai Limited Company, where a foreigner must jointly own the company with a Thai shareholder as explained here: Company Registration in Thailand.
The term Thai stick (otherwise known as the Buddha stick) refers to a unique method of making a sativa blunt by skewering seedless cannabis buds on a stem then further wrapping it with threads of marijuana. After this, the blunt is then dipped in cannabis oil to increase the potency boost.
Can you take CBD oil on a plane to Thailand? ›
Yes, CBD oil is legal in Dubai and Thailand. However, you may need to show your passport to the airport security personnel when boarding the plane. They may ask you to present the CBD oil bottle for inspection. CBD oil is a natural extract of the hemp plant.
Can you fly with CBD in Thailand? ›
Is cannabis legal in Thailand? Yes, cannabis was delisted as a Category 5 narcotic in Thailand on June 9th, 2023, making it legal. Can I fly with weed in Thailand? Yes, passengers over the age of 20 can transport cannabis on domestic flights.
Are drugs banned in Thailand? ›
The import and export of narcotics and/or psychotropic substances into/out of Thailand are general prohibited. Those travellers to Thailand under treatment who need to carry medications containing narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances into/out of Thailand must follow the applicable regulations strictly.
What medication can I take to Thailand? ›
You can only bring medication for a maximum of 90 days use. And it has to be in its original package. You can only travel with medicine in Category 2. If your medicine is in the other category, you can't travel with it.
What cigarettes do they sell in Thailand? ›
The top Thai brand, Krong Thip, is equally popular in urban and rural markets, but the less expensive Wonder brands are primarily consumed in rural areas.
