ReutersThailand鈥檚 cannabis industry faces disruption as the government moves to recriminalize marijuana, banning recreational cannabis use and restricting sales to medical purposes, impacting dispensaries in tourism hubs like Bangkok鈥檚 Khao San Road REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Thailand shifts toward medical-only cannabis useThailand鈥檚 government is moving to recriminalize cannabis, initiating new restrictions on the marijuana industry that has grown rapidly since decriminalization in 2022. The Ministry of Public Health has issued a directive banning the sale of cannabis for recreational use and mandating that any retail purchase require a prescription from a licensed medical professional.Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin confirmed on Tuesday, June 24, that, 鈥淐annabis will be classified as a narcotic in the future.鈥 The new rules will become law once they are published in the Royal Gazette, which is expected in the coming days.Also read: Thailand to tighten control on cannabis after smuggling …This policy reversal follows political instability in the ruling coalition. The Bhumjaithai Party, which had advocated for cannabis legalization, withdrew from the government last week after tensions involving Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra鈥檚 handling of a border dispute with Cambodia.Live EventsCannabis industry faces regulatory uncertaintyThe move comes three years after Thailand became the first Asian nation to decriminalize recreational cannabis. However, the 2022 policy shift lacked a regulatory framework, resulting in rapid expansion of cannabis-related businesses across the country. Tens of thousands of dispensaries opened, especially in tourism-heavy regions such as Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai.The Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated that the marijuana industry, including both recreational and medical cannabis, could reach a valuation of $1.2 billion by 2025.Government officials now say that unregulated access has created serious social issues, particularly affecting minors. 鈥淭he policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only,鈥 said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub in a statement.Also read: Thailand tightens border controls for tourists after Cambodia clashOperators and advocates react to policy reversalCannabis industry workers and business owners expressed concern about the abrupt shift. 鈥淭his is my main source of income,鈥 said Punnathat Phutthisawong, 25, an employee at Green House Thailand in Bangkok. 鈥淢any shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily.鈥滳hokwan 鈥淜itty鈥 Chopaka, a longtime cannabis advocate, said the industry has been stifled by political interference. 鈥淭he cannabis industry has become a hostage to politics,鈥 she said.Tourist hotspots continue to draw customersDespite the pending regulation, cannabis dispensaries in key tourism areas remain open. On Khao San Road in Bangkok, tourists were still visiting local shops. 鈥淭here are shops everywhere, so how do they reverse this? I don鈥檛 think they can,鈥 said Daniel Wolf, a visitor from Australia. 鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely insane.鈥(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onThailand cannabis recriminalizationcannabis industry regulationsThailand marijuana legislationmedical cannabis use Thailandcannabis dispensaries ThailandThailand cannabis market
(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onThailand cannabis recriminalizationcannabis industry regulationsThailand marijuana legislationmedical cannabis use Thailandcannabis dispensaries ThailandThailand cannabis market(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless