Thailand has proposed a new bill to regulate cannabis for health and medical uses, restrict recreational use, tighten licensing and allow for feedback from the public before submitting it to the cabinet and parliament.
Important points
Thailand has introduced new legislation to regulate the cannabis industry with a focus on health and medical uses, while seeking to restrict recreational smoking after previous policy changes. The bill, published by the Ministry of Public Health under Prime Minister Pethunthan Shinawatra's government, omits provisions regulating the cannabis industry. The draft bill includes stricter licensing rules for growing and selling cannabis, and would require existing businesses to apply for new permits. Feedback will be accepted until September 30th.
Thailand's recent proposed new legislation aims to regulate the burgeoning cannabis industry, refocusing its objectives on health and medical applications. The development is part of a broader strategy to tighten regulations following a series of policy shifts around marijuana use, particularly in light of previous recreational smoking permits.
The bill, announced by the Ministry of Health shortly after new Prime Minister Pethuntarun Shinawatra took office, allows cannabis and its extracts to be used in medicine, research, as well as herbal, food and cosmetic products. .
Importantly, the new bill represents a more flexible approach compared to previous drafts, in particular omitting the explicit ban on recreational use proposed by the previous government. It would also abandon efforts to reclassify marijuana as a drug. Nevertheless, severe penalties are imposed for violations. Individuals who use cannabis for purposes other than those specified can be fined up to 60,000 baht, and sellers of non-conforming products can be jailed for one year or fined up to 100,000 baht, or both. There is.
This regulatory stance is aimed at streamlining the burgeoning cannabis market following decriminalization in 2022, but poses potential challenges for the more than 9,400 dispensaries operating across the country.
Easy access to cannabis emerged as a controversial political issue, particularly during the last election, leading to mixed signals amid pressure from coalition partners to reinstate tougher regulations.
The bill also proposes tightening controls over cannabis cultivation, sales, import and export licenses, and requiring existing operators to obtain new licenses. Feedback from the public and stakeholders is being sought until September 30, so further amendments are likely to be made before the bill is submitted to Cabinet and ultimately to Parliament for approval.
Source: Thailand announces new bill to keep cannabis legal
