Different parts of the world move at their own pace when it comes to loosening restrictions on cannabis. Thailand has been pulling away from the rest of Asia, and was the first in the region to legalize cannabis for medical use. Now Thailand knocks it up a notch with decriminalized cannabis, and the ability for home growing. That’s progress!
Thailand just decriminalized cannabis, and is the first in Asia to do so. Is this an indication of what’s to come in that region of the world? Stay tuned to life to find out! We’re on top of this new and growing industry, and have all the most relevant news in ourTHC Weekly Newsletter. Subscribe for all the latest stories, as well as premium deals on flowers, vapes, edibles, and much more!We’ve also got great offers for cannabinoids, like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC which you can find in our “Best-of” lists!
Where was Thailand prior to this?
Thailand might have just decriminalized cannabis, but this decriminalization is not the first move Thailand has taken to loosen restrictions on cannabis use. In fact, this progression started back in 2018, when Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly, a military appointed organization, voted unanimously (166-0) to legalize cannabis for medical use. This also meant getting a sign-off from reigning monarch King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This was done, and the legislation officially went into effect in 2019.
The medical legalization didn’t do anything to effect other laws related to cannabis. Cannabis still remained a ‘category 5’ narcotic under the Narcotics Act of 1979, though the law was updated in 2019 to cover the medical legalization. Illegally possessing the plant was still punishable by up to 15 years in prison with a fine of approximately 1.5 million baht (~$48,000). Even with the update, trafficking could still land a person in prison for life.
The medical legalization is meant only for those authorized by the government to use or grow cannabis, and anyone taking part is required to have a prescription from a doctor and a cannabis identification card. Not long after passage of the law, it was already being spoken about for an update. This due to the cabinet approving a proposal by the Public Health Ministry to allow patients, medical practitioners, and traditional medicine healers to all be able to cultivate cannabis.