Thailand Decriminalizes Marijuana

On Tuesday, Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize marijuana use. However, recreational use remains prohibited and lawmakers are not sure if possession of recreational amounts will lead to arrests.

The Thailand Minister for Health, Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has announced that marijuana has been dropped from the list of controlled substances. Now that cannabis is no longer listed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), residents will be able to grow and sell cannabis in a tightly regulated market. The bill, however, must be first signed by the health minister and published in the government gazette after 120 days before it can take effect.

Parts of the cannabis that contain more than 0.2% THC have been on the narcotics schedule in Thailand. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a bioactive molecule that is found in cannabis Sativa and is responsible for “the high” that is typical of marijuana. Cannabis strains with low THC, therefore, lack psychoactive properties.

In 2020, Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalize cannabis for medical use. The legislation delisted some parts of the cannabis plant that contain small amounts of THC. Parts such as the buds that have high THC remained on the list of prohibited substances. With the new proposal, all parts of the cannabis plant will be delisted.

The health minister has been in full support of marijuana decriminalization. In the 2019 election, he campaigned under his Bhumjai party for the legalization of cannabis to allow farmers to grow the herb. The minister intends to support the cannabis industry in Thailand by promoting the products in international markets. Through his party, he plans to propose a draft Cannabis Act in parliament that will clarify the legality of marijuana in the country.