Marijuana Legalization in Thailand, New Cannabis and Hemp Act

No Asian country has legalized recreational marijuana use until Thailand's landmark policy change. With over 3% of the population reporting lifetime use and growing political momentum, Thailand legalized medical cannabis in 2019. In  June 2022 Thailand completely removed Marijuana from the narcotics list, making it fully permitted to grow, smoke and sell without criminal penalty. So after 2 years of marijuana being legal in Thailand on every level and with barely any oversight of how it is grown and sold, what have we learned? What are the positive and negative effects of marijuana legalization in Thailand? Some of the Positive effects Massive increase in revenue Expansion of jobs and business opportunities Real medical patience can get treatment legally Increase in property market sales Less burden on crime enforcement of marijuana Giving freedom to users to not be treated as criminals. Takes the funds out of the wrong hands Some of the negative effects Increased avail...

A move years in the making and a rarity in a region where marijuana possession, consumption, and trafficking are punishable by long jail terms and even death sentences, Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis in June 2022. Despite Thailand's legalization of medical marijuana in 2018, decriminalization took it a step further. This made it no longer a crime to grow, trade, or use marijuana or hemp products for medical purposes. The law is flexible from region to region, but ultimately allows people to grow and trade marijuana openly. Thailand has seen the opening of thousands of cannabis dispensaries since then. In addition, it has seen the opening of cannabis-themed businesses such as weed cafes, hemp spas, and beauty treatments. Decriminalization of marijuana has been a major draw for tourists in cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok. However, Anutin Charnvirakul, former Thai health minister and strong advocate of cannabis legalization, has said that Th...