Thailand: Authorities approve plan to decriminalize cannabis

The Food and Drug Administration The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has drafted a bill aimed at legalizing the cultivation and consumption of cannabis. The country may also legalize its recreational use in certain areas.

FDA Secretary General Paisarn Dunkum said Monday that his agency had drafted a bill in accordance with the law in accordance with the resolution of the Ministry of Public Health to remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances. The FDA’s proposed bill would allow people to grow cannabis for their own use, provided they report such cultivation to their respective provincial administrative agencies. Home use would be limited to medical purposes.

Companies wishing to engage in the commercial cultivation, importation, exportation, sale, and advertising of cannabis must obtain specific approval from the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed yesterday that the ONCB had approved the removal of cannabis from the list of controlled substances. This removal must now be officially signed by the Health Minister and will take effect 120 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

The Possible Legalization of Cannabis

Regarding the recreational use of cannabis, Dr. Paisarn stated that it could take place in certain locations that have not yet been specified.

«Of course, we won't go as far as the stage of coffeeshops, », but there are different models for its recreational use in other countries. We will choose the one that best suits our social context," said the FDA's secretary-general.

A committee of the Ministry of Public Health, chaired by its permanent secretary, will draw up the specifications for recreational cannabis use facilities, he added.

The bill provides for a three-year prison sentence and/or a fine of 30,000 baht for violators.

A public hearing on the new bill will be held next month, Dr. Paisarn said.