Thailand Plans to Legalize Marijuana
In 2018, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize the production of medicinal products based on marijuana. However, the government does not intend to stop there and is now planning to legalize marijuana more broadly.
Thais Will Be Allowed to Process All Parts of Marijuana
Last year, the Thai government lifted the ban on industrial cannabis containing no more than 0.2% THC. However, commercial entities were only allowed to process the stems, leaves, seeds, and roots of the plant. Marijuana flowers remained illegal, so farmers have had to dispose of them.
On January 19, Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to propose removing marijuana from the list of prohibited narcotics. If the Narcotics Control Board and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul approve the initiative, the government will legalize the processing and sale of cannabis flowers. It appears that officials will legalize marijuana with a THC concentration not exceeding 0.2%.
Expert Opinions and Economic Impact
Chaiwat Sowcharoensuk, an analyst at Krungsri Research, commented on the news: “The decree provides for the lifting of the ban on the sale, purchase, and use of any parts of cannabis. However, smoking marijuana with high THC content for recreational purposes will likely remain prohibited. The biggest beneficiaries of the legalization of marijuana flowers will be cosmetics manufacturers.”
Witid Sariddechaikul, Deputy Secretary-General of the FDA, is confident that drug policy reform will benefit the economy. According to him, after the legalization of cannabis flowers, the income of cannabis businesses will increase significantly.
Thailand Moves Toward Drug Law Liberalization
In August 2021, Thailand legalized kratom, which had been criminalized since 1943. By October, kratom plantations had already reached 16,000 hectares, and products made from the entheogen appeared on store shelves. Analysts believe that marijuana will follow the path of kratom and will soon be fully legalized in Thailand.
Developing the Cannabis Industry
Thai officials are actively developing the cannabis industry and aim to profit from exporting cannabinoid products. To achieve this, the country has opened the International Medical Cannabis Research Center (IMCRC). To boost the popularity of local strains, the Ministry of Culture will include 30 cannabis strains in the “Thailand National Heritage Fund” this year and will apply to have these marijuana strains added to the “UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund” in 2023.