After three years of allowing marijuana smoking freely, Thailand 'turns around' to prepare for ban

The Thai government's new move to recriminalize marijuana is shaking up the country's billion-dollar industry.

Many cannabis shops, especially those catering to tourists, across Thailand will have to close, especially in urban areas, leaving only those that supply cannabis for medical purposes, as the government moves to re-criminalize the plant, according to the Bangkok Post .

The Department of Public Health issued an order late Tuesday banning the sale of recreational marijuana and requiring any retail purchases to be accompanied by a doctor's prescription.

The new rules will come into effect after being published in the Royal Gazette, which could happen in the next few days.

"Marijuana will be classified as a narcotic in the future," Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced.

A marijuana shop in Bangkok

PHOTO: PER MEISTRUP

The move by the Pheu Thai government is expected to throw into doubt an industry estimated to be worth more than $1 billion, which has boomed since cannabis was removed from the country's narcotic list in 2022.

The push for new controls on recreational cannabis use comes just days after the Bhumjaithai Party, which has advocated legalizing cannabis, withdrew from the ruling coalition amid a protracted political dispute.

The unrestricted use of recreational cannabis has led to complaints in some parts of the country, particularly in tourist areas such as Phuket, where there are an estimated 1,500 cannabis shops.

Nationwide, there are about 18,000 shops selling marijuana and the increase in marijuana-related health problems has become noticeable, said Damrongkieat Pinijkarn, secretary of the Pattaya Entertainment Association.

The new regulations will boost tourism and improve the living environment in Pattaya, he said. Over the past three years, many marijuana shops have taken advantage of the lack of laws or clear regulations to sell marijuana everywhere in the coastal resort city, endangering locals and children.

Many tourists and locals have complained about smoking marijuana in public places, such as on the streets and beaches, affecting their health.

The latest development will put many businesses out of business, as police can now arrest both sellers and smokers for violating current regulations.

Medical Cannabis Clinic at Government-Run Koh Samui Hospital

PHOTO: PER MEISTRUP

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said uncontrolled access to cannabis had created serious social problems, especially for children and young people.

“This policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only,” he asserted.

The new move also left cannabis industry participants, like Punnathat Phutthisawong, on edge: "Many people are probably shocked because the investment is so huge."

The cannabis industry may have transformed Thailand’s agriculture, medicine and tourism, but instability and policy reversals have hampered any sustainable growth, said cannabis activist Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka. “The cannabis industry has become a hostage to politics,” she said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sau-ba-nam-cho-hut-can-sa-thoai-mai-thai-lan-quay-xe-chuan-bi-cam-185250626105340707.htm