Thailand Moves Closer to Legalizing Medical Marijuana
The Narcotics Control Committee of Thailand is advancing a revised set of drug laws aimed at legalizing medical marijuana. The proposed changes, which are currently moving through the parliamentary process, would allow the sale of medical marijuana to patients with a valid prescription from their doctor, without the need for an additional prescription at the point of sale.
The draft legislation is on its way to the Cabinet for review and is expected to be voted on by the interim parliament, which was appointed by the ruling junta. This step is anticipated to pass without significant opposition.
“For medical purposes, patients will be able to access marijuana, but only under a doctor’s direction. They cannot grow it themselves,” said Sirinya Sitdhichai, Director of the Narcotics Control Office, on Tuesday. “This is what we have included in the draft.”
Thailand’s Department of Public Health and law enforcement agencies have not objected to this move, marking a sharp contrast to the country’s previous drug policies. Historically, Thailand’s approach to drug offenses involved imprisonment and, in some cases, even harsher penalties.
In 2016, former Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya declared the war on drugs a failure, opening the door to discussions about alternative approaches. Despite these conversations, full legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use remains off the table for now.
“Doctors in our country are still divided on the issue,” Sitdhichai noted. “Some are concerned that if we legalize it for recreational use, children might use it, which could affect their brain development. We are weighing the pros and cons.”
Previous Attempts and Future Prospects
This is not Thailand’s first attempt to address marijuana laws. The country has long considered relaxing regulations on the cannabis plant. In August 2016, the government discussed decriminalization as a possibility, and since then, laws have been amended to allow farmers to cultivate marijuana.
It is now clear that the Narcotics Control Committee is making bold efforts to usher Thailand into a new era of medicine. If the legislation passes, Thailand will become one of the first countries in Asia to legalize medical marijuana.