Thailand's new government moves forward on banning recreational use of cannabis

Thailand, Asia's pioneer in the decriminalization of cannabis in 2022, has been reflecting for some months now on the need for real regulation of the sector. Indeed, decriminalization has opened the doors to the market and to local and foreign consumers, with all the consequences of a lack of regulation: unregulated growth of the cannabis market, illegal imports, quality control and a lack of health policy.

The newly elected government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is therefore advocating a paradigm shift, officially restricting cannabis to medical use.

Thailand's Minister of Public Health, Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, has signed a proposed cannabis law with a clear focus on medical applications. The law aims to discourage recreational use, by introducing measures to control and prevent misuse. The bill must now be submitted to the Lower House for approval.

Under the proposed bill, anyone smoking cannabis for recreational purposes would be liable to a fine of up to $60,000. baht (€1,500). People who sell cannabis or its extracts for recreational purposes would be liable to one year's imprisonment or a fine of 100,000 baht (€2,600), or both.

The glut of supply on the market has led to a sharp fall in cannabis prices, raising questions about product quality and credibility. Soratat Pongsangiam, President of Greenhead Clinic, hopes that stricter regulations will restore control and credibility to the sector. Industry experts expect a crackdown on unlicensed pop-up shops, potential bans on certain cannabis products and mandatory monthly sales reports to monitor product types and consumers.

However, not everyone is in favor of these changes. Visit Thai Cannabis Future Writing Network criticized the proposed legislation, claiming that it had been signed without the stakeholders having been consulted, as the government had undertaken to do.

The evolution of the political position on cannabis, particularly on the part of personalities such as Anutin Charnvirakul, the former health minister who played a key role in the decriminalization, makes the debate even more complex. The influence of Charnvirakul, now Minister of the Interior, could call into question the move towards stricter regulations.

As the Thai government embarks on this regulation, balancing the interests of stakeholders, public health and the cannabis industry will be crucial to the success and sustainability of Thailand's cannabis policy.