Bangkok: Thailand is set to move towards legislating medical marijuana, according to a deputy prime minister’s announcement on Tuesday. This decision marks a reversal from earlier plans to re-criminalize the plant, reflecting a shift in the government’s evolving stance on cannabis.
In 2022, Thailand became one of the first Asian countries to decriminalize marijuana. However, this move was implemented without a regulatory framework to control its recreational use, leading to a surge in cannabis cafes and retailers and raising public concerns about potential misuse.
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a key advocate for marijuana liberalization, revealed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has now endorsed legislation as a necessary step. “I thank the prime minister for considering this matter and deciding on issuing an act,” Anutin stated.
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Despite the decriminalization, the government had maintained that recreational use of cannabis was not permitted. Srettha, who is from a different party, had previously proposed re-criminalizing recreational use while allowing medical use and research. Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Prommin Lertsuridej confirmed, “It will be a matter of law and debated in parliament where there is already a draft law.”
A draft law on marijuana was previously submitted to the legislature but failed to proceed due to the dissolution of parliament before the election last year. It remains unclear if new measures will be introduced to address recreational cannabis use, as Srettha has suggested.
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The domestic marijuana retail sector in Thailand is experiencing rapid growth, with projections estimating the industry could be worth up to $1.2 billion by 2025. Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest in the ruling coalition, supports marijuana for health and economic benefits but opposes its re-criminalization for recreational use.
Nattabhorn Buamahakul, Managing Partner at Vero Advocacy, commented on the latest development, noting, “The policy reversal reflects greater alignment between the coalition parties compared to last year when the government was formed.”
