Cannabis in Thailand: Towards purely medical regulation?

In 2022, the Thailand made headlines around the world in removing cannabis from its list of controlled substances. This decision created a significant legal vacuum, leading to an increase in cannabis-related activities across the country. Cannabis dispensaries sprang up on nearly every street corner in Bangkok, and both tourists and locals were able to easily access them.

A push toward medical regulation

However, the landscape of cannabis laws in Thailand is once again on the verge of changing dramatically. Following the general election in May 2023, the new government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, plans to regulate cannabis. A government committee has already voted to reclassify cannabis and hemp as «Schedule 5 drugs,» bringing them into line with kratom and psychedelic mushrooms.

The Minister of Health , Somsak Thepsutin, has strongly opposed the recreational use of cannabis, which he links to serious problems such as heroin addiction, depression, and suicide—a position that many consider outdated and lacking in scientific basis. Despite this, the commission unanimously recognized the therapeutic and medical properties of cannabis and agreed that it should be used for medical, not recreational, purposes.

Public opinion and government actions

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Health showed that a significant majority—about 80% of the 111,201 people surveyed—supported reclassifying cannabis back to its former illegal status. Nevertheless, this plan has faced considerable opposition. About a hundred protesters gathered outside the Prime Minister’s official residence, voicing their dissatisfaction and calling for a thorough study of the benefits of cannabis. Prasitchai Nunual, of the Thai Cannabis Future Network, called for the creation of a new committee tasked with establishing the facts regarding cannabis use and its impact on the country.

The decision to reclassify cannabis, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, has raised concerns among cannabis advocates and politicians. Anutin Charnvirakul, head of the Bhumjaithai party and former minister of public health, is a strong advocate for the legalization of cannabis. He has pledged to oppose the reclassification when it is brought before the’Narcotics Control Board (OCS), emphasizing the need for political stability to maintain investor confidence.

Mr. Charnvirakul argued that frequent changes in cannabis policy could deter investors and harm the country’s economic prospects. He warned that recriminalization could lead to legal uncertainty for those who have invested in the cannabis industry and those who grow cannabis plants.

The Bhumjaithai party, who played a played a central role in the initial legalization of cannabis, remains a key player in this debate. The party’s flagship policy during the 2019 general election was to decriminalize cannabis, a promise that Charnvirakul kept when he was appointed Minister of Public Health. However, with his current position as Minister of the Interior, the party’s influence over health policies has diminished, as these matters now fall under the purview of Thepsutin of the Pheu Thai party.

Charnvirakul has made it clear that if a cabinet reshuffle were to allow the Bhumjaithai Party to regain control of the Ministry of Public Health, he would immediately work to remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances. His commitment to this cause highlights the deep political divisions and the complexity of cannabis legislation in Thailand.

As Thailand moves toward new cannabis regulations, several key questions remain unanswered, including the future of the businesses established so far and that of local growers.