In a significant policy shift, Thailand's deputy prime minister announced on Tuesday that the government will regulate cannabis for medicinal use instead of re-listing the plant as a narcotic. This decision comes as a U-turn from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's previous vow to make cannabis illegal by the end of 2024, just two years after Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalize marijuana.
The decriminalization of marijuana without proper laws and guidelines led to a rapid increase in recreational use and the establishment of numerous cannabis cafes, raising public concerns about its potential abuse. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the government would now focus on drafting legislation to regulate the cannabis industry.
Prime Minister Thavisin, who had previously announced plans to re-list cannabis as a narcotic, has now agreed that legislation is the appropriate course of action, according to the deputy prime minister. "I thank the prime minister for considering this matter and deciding on issuing an act," Mr. Anutin said following a meeting with the prime minister and health minister Somsak Thepsutin.
Thailand has witnessed significant growth in the domestic retail sector for marijuana, with the industry projected to be worth up to $1.2bn (£929m) by 2025. Secretary-general to the prime minister Prommin Lertsuridej, who was also present at the meeting, told Reuters, "It will be a matter of law and debated in parliament where there is already a draft law. Whether it is a narcotic or not is up to parliament."
The decriminalization of cannabis in 2022 was spearheaded by Mr. Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party, which has a stronghold in the impoverished northeast region where it promised farmers that cannabis would be a new cash crop.
Nattabhorn Buamahakul, managing partner at government affairs consultancy Vero Advocacy, noted that the latest development indicates improved coordination between parties in the government on the complex cannabis issue. "The policy reversal reflects greater alignment between the coalition parties when compared to last year when the government was formed," Ms. Nattabhorn said.
A draft law on marijuana was submitted to the legislature under the previous administration, but parliament was dissolved ahead of an election last year without a vote being taken. It remains unclear whether steps will be taken to crack down on recreational cannabis use, as Mr. Srettha has advocated.
The proposed regulations to re-criminalize cannabis have already been set in motion, but the deputy prime minister, who is a member of the Narcotics Control Board, has vowed to vote against the plan.
The decriminalization of marijuana without proper laws and guidelines led to a rapid increase in recreational use and the establishment of numerous cannabis cafes, raising public concerns about its potential abuse. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the government would now focus on drafting legislation to regulate the cannabis industry.
Prime Minister Thavisin, who had previously announced plans to re-list cannabis as a narcotic, has now agreed that legislation is the appropriate course of action, according to the deputy prime minister. "I thank the prime minister for considering this matter and deciding on issuing an act," Mr. Anutin said following a meeting with the prime minister and health minister Somsak Thepsutin.
Thailand has witnessed significant growth in the domestic retail sector for marijuana, with the industry projected to be worth up to $1.2bn (£929m) by 2025. Secretary-general to the prime minister Prommin Lertsuridej, who was also present at the meeting, told Reuters, "It will be a matter of law and debated in parliament where there is already a draft law. Whether it is a narcotic or not is up to parliament."
The decriminalization of cannabis in 2022 was spearheaded by Mr. Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party, which has a stronghold in the impoverished northeast region where it promised farmers that cannabis would be a new cash crop.
Nattabhorn Buamahakul, managing partner at government affairs consultancy Vero Advocacy, noted that the latest development indicates improved coordination between parties in the government on the complex cannabis issue. "The policy reversal reflects greater alignment between the coalition parties when compared to last year when the government was formed," Ms. Nattabhorn said.
A draft law on marijuana was submitted to the legislature under the previous administration, but parliament was dissolved ahead of an election last year without a vote being taken. It remains unclear whether steps will be taken to crack down on recreational cannabis use, as Mr. Srettha has advocated.
The proposed regulations to re-criminalize cannabis have already been set in motion, but the deputy prime minister, who is a member of the Narcotics Control Board, has vowed to vote against the plan.
