Thailand moves to make recreational cannabis illegal again

HEADLINES:
|

ADVERTISEMENT

HEADLINES:
|
dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

Thailand moves to make recreational cannabis illegal again

Deutsche Welle

Clipboard

Thailand is set to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic only three years after the country became one of Asia's first to decriminalize its recreational use.

Coming in the wake of a government coalition split, the major policy reversal would renew controls on the recreational use of cannabis and shut down a booming $1 billion industry.

Why is Thailand recriminalizing cannabis?

Thailand removed cannabis from its narcotics list in 2022 but failed to implement a regulatory framework, allowing tens of thousands of cannabis shops to open, many in popular tourist areas.

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said the unregulated market has caused social issues, especially among young people.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only," he said.

The decision also comes after the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party — once the main advocate for legalization — from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's ruling coalition. The split followed criticism of Shinawatra's handling of a border dispute with Cambodia.

What happens now?

Late Tuesday, the health ministry issued an order banning recreational cannabis sales and requiring a doctor's prescription for any legal purchase. The new regulations will take effect once published in the Royal Gazette, expected in the coming days.

"Cannabis will be classified as a narcotic in the future," the Bangkok Post quotes Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin as saying.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce had estimated the industry — covering both recreational and medicinal cannabis — could have been worth $1.2 billion by 2025.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.