Thailand has introduced a new draft bill aimed at regulating a free-for-all cannabis industry. The bill pivots toward a framework that prioritizes health and medical applications. This initiative represents a concerted effort to rein in recreational usage following a series of policy reversals.
The proposed legislation, released earlier this week by the Ministry of Public Health, permits the use of cannabis and its extracts for medical treatment and research by state agencies, in addition to applications in herbal remedies, food, and cosmetics.
Notably, the draft bill signals a softer approach than prior drafts. It omits a clause that would have outright banned recreational cannabis use, a provision initially put forth by the former administration. Moreover, the new government appears to have abandoned efforts to reclassify cannabis as a “narcotic,” reflecting a more lenient stance.
However, the bill imposes strict penalties for unauthorized use. Individuals consuming cannabis or its extracts for purposes not outlined in the legislation may face fines of up to 60,000 baht (approximately $1,803). Additionally, sellers who provide cannabis products for non-compliant uses could incur penalties of up to one year in prison, fines reaching 100,000 baht, or both.
These regulations will limit the recreational use of cannabis in Thailand. This legal loophole has led to the establishment of over 9,400 cannabis dispensaries nationwide, particularly concentrated in popular tourist destinations and commercial hubs in Bangkok.
The issue of cannabis regulation became a contentious political topic during last year’s national elections, with the ruling Pheu Thai Party pledging to reinstate marijuana as a narcotic to curb potential addiction concerns. However, political reliance on the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest faction in the ruling coalition, has compelled Pheu Thai to reconsider its commitment, and allow cannabis to remain legal.
However before recreational users thinking nothing has changed, the draft legislation proposes tightening licensing requirements for cannabis cultivation, sales, exports, and imports including GACP certification for all grows. Existing growers, suppliers, and related enterprises will be required to obtain new licenses or permits, with significant penalties for non-compliance.
While the bill presents a more favorable outlook for the cannabis industry, it may still challenge growers, dispensaries, and a wide array of consumer-agro businesses that have emerged across the country. These dispensaries currently offering products ranging from oil extracts to infused candies and baked goods, must now ensure they contain no more than 0.2% THC.
Industry stakeholders and the public are invited to submit feedback on the proposed legislation until September 30. Following this period, the Ministry of Health may refine the bill before it is submitted to the cabinet and subsequently to parliament for approval.
