Thailand and Cannabis

On June 9, 2022, the Thai government activated the pioneering initiative to remove all parts of the marijuana plant from the list of narcotic drugs, being the first country in Asia to decriminalize marijuana use (with nuances). In what has undoubtedly seemed like a dream to cannabis-loving citizens, the government has celebrated the occasion by handing out one million marijuana plants; Around 4,200 prisoners who were in jail for weed-related offenses have been able to regain their freedom thanks to this change in legislation.

This measure has made Thailand stand out among most countries when it comes to cannabis policies. However, as is often the case in politics, there are certain exceptions.

New Thai cannabis laws

• The Thai government has legalized the plant primarily for medicinal purposes. If they see you smoking weed in public, they can penalize you with a fine of €686 and up to 3 months in jail.
• Marijuana extracts with a THC percentage greater than 0.2% are still completely illegal.
• Cafes and restaurants can serve cannabis-infused food, as long as their products do not contain more than 0.2% THC.
• The population can smoke marijuana in their homes without fear of legal repercussions.
• Citizens of the country can grow an unlimited number of cannabis plants at home.
• Marijuana plants can be distributed legally.

Why has Thailand made this decision?

The government has approved legalization for three main reasons:

• for medical purposes
• For economic benefit
• To give citizens another choice when it comes to their own health

As we can see, recreational consumption does not appear on the list of objectives. In certain contexts, recreational consumption continues to be a penalized activity. However, the change in legislation has opened up a whole new range of options in the economy, which ministers hope will help remedy the post-covid recession.

Can it be grown in Thailand?

Yes. An image published by the Bangkok Post explains the rules of growing and using marijuana. According to the Thai police, citizens are allowed to:

• Grow and own an unlimited number of plants
• Distribute cannabis plants
• Smoking marijuana

Thai citizens can now sow and plant anything they want in their gardens, balconies and grow rooms. However, those who decide to dedicate themselves to the world of cannabis gardening will have to register in the government app PlookGanja. In addition, growers will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor in the privacy of their homes without fear of repercussions.