Thailand’s Prime Minister Proposes Recriminalization of Cannabis

LOS ANGELES – Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced on social media his intention to recriminalize cannabis, permitting its use solely for medicinal purposes. This move aligns with earlier suggestions from the country’s health minister and marks a significant shift from the existing laws that decriminalized the plant in 2022. The decriminalization made Thailand the first Asian country to enact such liberal cannabis policies, which led to widespread cultivation and trade, particularly aimed at supporting medical access.

However, the rapid growth of the cannabis industry has led to concerns, particularly regarding youth access and a perceived increase in crime rates, prompting the call for stricter regulations. The Prime Minister has requested that the Health Ministry reinstate cannabis on the narcotics list, with proposed regulations that would penalize the possession of cannabis products containing more than 0.2% THC.

The health minister had earlier projected that the reversal of cannabis decriminalization could occur by the end of the year. This re-criminalization plan has sparked significant debate within Thailand, with many industry insiders arguing that the sector has become too large to dismantle. Some entrepreneurs are already seeking legal counsel in anticipation of challenging the potential new legislation.