Making Sense of Thailand’s Cannabis Laws

Wednesday, 04 May 2022 14:29

Thailand Cannais Laws Explained

Amid the buzz surrounding the movement to legalize cannabis in Thailand, both tourists and locals are posing the question, "Is cannabis permitted in the country?" The answer lies in the affirmative for medical and wellness purposes, while recreational use remains restricted.

Partaking in marijuana consumption for the purpose of recreational highs remains outside the bounds of Thai law. Nevertheless, the landscape is evolving with an increasing presence of cafes, spas, restaurants, and other wellness establishments offering products infused with cannabidiol (CBD). CBD, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, is renowned for its potential medicinal qualities.

This is simply Thailand going back to its roots. Cannabis is part of the country’s traditional medicine. Historically, marijuana use is commonplace in the kingdom for pain relief and dealing with fatigue. Cannabis use was only criminalized in the 1930s.

To make sense of Thailand’s cannabis laws, it’s best to look at the events leading to the legalisation of cannabis use.

2018 to 2019 – Medical Cannabis Approved

Medical Cannabis Laws in Thailand

Thailand’s cannabis legalisation in early 2019 is largely thanks to the campaign led by Anutin Charnvirakul, the country’s public health minister. But the steps towards delisting cannabis as a banned substance started in December 2018. In a televised parliamentary session, the National Assembly announced the legalization of marijuana for medical and research purposes as a “New Year’s gift” to the Thai people. However, cannabis use for recreation is still illegal.

2020 – (Some) Cannabis Growing Legalized

Since the 2018 announcement, medical marijuana use in Thailand has steadily risen. The Ministry of Public Health pushed for the establishment of dedicated cannabis clinics. In December 2020, the Thai government approved the cultivation of cannabis.

By this time, there are still heavy restrictions on cannabis products:

There should be less than 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of the plant.
Buds and flowers cannot be used and are still on the narcotics list. Roots, stalks, stems, and leaves are off the list, making these legal.
Cannabis farming is heavily regulated. Farmers need permits from the government. Illegal cultivation is a punishable offence.

2021 – Cannabis Tourism Blooms

Cannabis Tourism in Thailand

The government’s push for cannabis cultivation gave rise to a new kind of wellness tourism —one that is centred on CBD-infused products.

The cannabis café industry is thriving, with establishments offering teas, coffee, and all sorts of drinks with CBD infusions. Restaurants started offering “happy” variants to their menu, with liberal use of the iconic cannabis leaf. The wellness industry is maximising this opportunity with cannabinoid-centred spa treatments, cannabis soap products, and other CBD infusions.

A tourist or local may enjoy the full health benefits of cannabinoid products. That “happy” pizza will give customers pain relief or reduce their anxiety but not get them high.

December 2021 saw the removal of cannabis from the list of illegal drugs under Thailand’s Narcotics Law. In effect, this move decriminalizes cannabis. Buds and flowers, which contain the psychoactive components, are now legal. However, restrictions for products containing more than 0.2% THC remain.

January 2022 – Cannabis Delisted As a Narcotic

As of January 2022, Thailand removed cannabis from the list of controlled substances maintained by the Health Ministry. This regulatory shift enables locals to cultivate cannabis plants within their residences, subject to proper permits issued by the government. The prospect of obtaining licenses for commercial cultivation has also become more viable. Nevertheless, despite the apparent decriminalization of cannabis, severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, await those engaged in unauthorized cultivation and distribution without a license.

Presently, the legality of recreational cannabis use remains somewhat ambiguous. Nonetheless, a draft of a cannabis and hemp bill has been recently presented to the Parliament. This legislative proposal outlines specific scenarios for permissible use and associated restrictions concerning both recreational use and cultivation.

A proposal for a “cannabis sandbox” where tourists can freely enjoy recreational marijuana use is also in the works. Thailand’s FDA Secretary-General Paisarn Dunkum disclosed in an interview that a “sandbox” law might allow persons over 20 years old to use cannabis recreationally in certain areas.

What Is Legal Under Thailand’s Cannabis Laws

To make things less confusing, here’s a handy guide on what is and isn’t legal (or regulated) under Thailand’s cannabis laws.

Plant Parts

All parts of the cannabis plant are now legal to use, provided that THC levels of the final product fall under regulation.

THC levels

Products containing cannabis should have less than 0.2% THC. Anything above 0.2% is prohibited.

Use of CBD

The use of cannabinoids, the non-psychoactive component of the plant, is legal and heavily pushed. CBD reportedly has medicinal properties useful for pain relief and stopping seizures.

Growing at Home, Commercial Growth

Growing at home is legal, as long as a resident secures the proper permits. Commercial growth is legal but regulated.

Collect Quality Seeds

Collecting quality cannabis seeds is the crucial first step to having cannabis at home for personal use. Testing out different varieties to suit your needs and growing conditions is next.

Seed City has the widest variety of cannabis seeds in the market, available conveniently online. With Seed City, you can find rare breeds, from indica and sativa to hybrid strains. There are also flexible purchasing options for single seeds, 10 packs, or bulk orders. At Seed City, you can easily find the variety you want to collect that fits your needs and budget.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 16:57

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