Thailand: legalization of medical cannabis in sight

The Narcotics Control Board of Thailand proposed a revision of current drug laws to legalize medical cannabis. The proposed law would authorize the sale of medical marijuana for patients with a prescription from their doctor.

The text is currently being studied by the Thai government and should be easily voted through by the interim government.

«For medical purposes, [patients] will be able to receive cannabis, but only on the orders of a doctor. They can't grow it themselves,» explains Narcotics Control Bureau director Sirinya Sitdhichai. «That's what we put in the text.»

The Ministry of Health and the law enforcement agencies have not voiced any opposition to this legalization, which is in stark contrast. with drug treatment in the country.

In 2016, Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya declared the war on drugs a failure, opening up the debate on what reforms to adopt. A global legalization of cannabis is not on the agenda.

«Doctors in the country are still divided into two opinions,» explains Sitdhichai. «Some fear that if we legalize cannabis for recreational use, children are consuming it, which would affect their brain development. We look at the good as well as the bad.»

Nor is this Thailand's first attempt to reform its cannabis laws. In August 2016, the government had talked about possible decriminalization, but stuck to it the authorization of hemp cultivation for Thai farmers.