Thailands government announced this week that it plans to ban recreational marijuana use by years end, while still allowing cannabis for medical purposes. Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew stated on Wednesday that a draft bill prohibiting recreational cannabis will be submitted to the cabinet next month before going to parliament for passage before December. The minister cited the need for a regulatory framework around cannabis usage. Without the law to regulate cannabis it will be misused, Cholnan said, referring to recreational consumption. The misuse of cannabis has a negative impact on Thai children. In the long run it could lead to other drugs, he added.The proposed legislation will outlaw existing unlicensed cannabis shops, estimated at 20,000, and discourage home cultivation. Medical and health-related cannabis cultivation will still require government permission under the new rules.Thailand made history in 2018 as the first Southeast Asian country to legalize medical marijuana. Recreational use was approved in 2022, fueling an industry projected to reach $1.2 billion in value next year.The draft law includes fines up to $1,700 for recreational use. Selling cannabis products for recreational purposes or advertising/marketing cannabis buds, extracts or smoking paraphernalia will bring jail terms up to one year or fines up to $2,800. Unallowed cannabis farming will mean 1-3 year prison sentences plus fines from $560-$8,000. Imports, exports, cultivation and commercial cannabis will also need permits.Recognizing economic benefits, the health minister said businesses will have time to adjust to the rules. Existing shops can operate until licenses expire, potentially transitioning into legal clinics. Tourism will be unaffected, he added.The controversial rollback of legal recreational marijuana aims to curb substance abuse concerns. But Thailand will continue pioneering cannabis emerging medical potential in Asia through regulated access.
