Thailand Election Looms with Cannabis in Limbo

Thailand is heading toward an election with its critical cannabis legislation in limbo, ensuring that last year's messy decriminalisation of the plant will be a campaign issue. Especially considering the recent boom in the country regarding the sale and personal use of cannabis products.

Thailand's parliament completed its final session concerning the cannabis draft bill before the upcoming election in May. However, it failed to approve it, leaving the country without an umbrella law to control substance use.

Thailand made headlines by becoming the first Southeast Asian country to decriminalise cannabis in 2022. However, within seven days of the move, the government were forced to issue a flurry of hasty regulations to curb the potential uncontrolled use, including potentially by children.

Countless cannabis retail shops and businesses have since opened up in Bangkok and other tourist mainstays, many appearing within weeks of the decriminalisation bill.

The cannabis bill passed its first reading in parliament in June last year and has faced much political debate since. This is something that reflects the traditional anti-drug feeling in Thailand.

The Bhumjaithai Party successfully drove for legalisation, campaigning on the issue in the 2019 election. However, they have since been scrutinised by the opposition and some government coalition partners. 

The opposition Party, whose leader is the favourite to succeed as the next prime minister, has commented that they only support the medicinal use of cannabis and that recreational use poses a threat to society, especially the younger generation.

Many believe that decriminalising cannabis without the appropriate legislation was a blunder and that it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The Bhumjaithai party remains defiant, though, and plans to submit the same draft bill to resume the process in the next parliament following the forthcoming elections.

"If there is a cannabis law, we can regulate it 100%. But with what we have, we can already regulate it 70%."  - Bhumjaithai Party Rep.