Thailand may ban cannabis for recreational use in policy U-turn.

The relaxed laws saw a lucrative cannabis industry emerging that catered to locals and tourists alike. Thailand's health ministry created a draft bill that stated hefty fines or prison sentences of up to 12 months for offenders.

Cannabis and cannabis-related products will be limited to medical and health purposes only, the bill echoes the new government's pledge back in September 2023 that his new government would "rectify" cannabis laws within the following six months.

Even with the lax laws, smoking cannabis in public was still illegal, but the suggested new laws will prohibit advertising and marketing campaigns for cannabis products.

 Thailand notably became the first country in Asia to fully decriminalise cannabis in June 2022, a move years in the making and a rarity in a region where many neighbouring countries dish out lengthy jail terms including death sentences for those convicted of cannabis possession, consumption or trafficking.

Medical cannabis has been legal in Thailand since 2018, however, decriminalisation in 2022 took a major turn, making it no longer criminal to grow and trade cannabis and hemp products or to use the plant in any capacity to treat illness. Since then, thousands of cannabis dispensaries have started up across Thailand, as well as other related businesses like weed cafes, hemp spas and beauty treatments.

Cities including Chiang Mai and Bangkok have even held weed festivals.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the former health minister, strongly lobbied for cannabis legalisation in the country and previously stated that the intention never was to permit Thais and tourists to smoke weed recreationally in public.

"Thailand will promote cannabis policies for medical purposes. There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating for people to use cannabis in terms of recreation--or use it in a way that could irritate others. We emphasised using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and health." 

Cannabis advocates have asserted that the cannabis boom across Thailand has helped the Thai economy, from farmers to small businesses.

Thai cannabis entrepreneurs have emphasised that they were heavily against any legislation that would harm the maturing multi-billion-dollar industry. The Future Cannabis Network, the advocacy group in Thailand, have voiced its dismay at the government's actions and emphasised the significance of "public involvement."

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