Thailand’s Marijuana Crackdown: What’s Behind the Restrictions
In a surprising move, Thailand, the first Asian country to decriminalize marijuana, has announced a new set of restrictions on the drug. The government has reclassified cannabis buds as a controlled herb, banned the sale of cannabis to customers without a prescription, and vowed to recriminalize its recreational use. The move has sparked concerns among small businesses and activists, who claim that political infighting has played a key role in the tightening of marijuana policies.
The new order requires licenses for those who wish to produce, sell, or process cannabis buds, and imposes strict regulations on the industry. Cannabis can no longer be sold through vending machines, electronic channels, or computer networks, and its derivative products cannot be advertised. The sale of cannabis for smoking in cannabis business establishments will also be banned, except for medical purposes.
The government claims that the restrictions are necessary to protect children and youth from the negative effects of increased access to marijuana. However, critics argue that the move is a result of political infighting and a desire to restrict the growth of the industry.
The decriminalization of marijuana in 2022 was pushed by then-Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who ran for Prime Minister in 2023 but lost. The Bhumjaithai Party, which had supported decriminalization, left the governing coalition earlier this month, allowing the Pheu Thai Party to pursue its promises of restricting the use of marijuana to medical purposes only.
The Thai public has traditionally viewed marijuana negatively, with a majority in favor of relisting it as a narcotic. The industry has reacted with concerns that the new restrictions will force small farmers to close and push sales of the drug underground.
Chokwan Chopaka, a Thai cannabis activist, plans to protest the order, arguing that the restrictions will only drive the industry underground. “Thailand had always been known for its easygoing culture, where many illegal products are readily available,” she said. “With the new announcement, cannabis will be just another thing that will go back to being managed by the corrupt underground system.”
The Thai government’s decision to restrict access to marijuana has sparked concerns about the impact on the industry and the country’s reputation as a tourist destination. Only time will tell if the restrictions will be effective in achieving the government’s goals or if they will simply drive the industry underground.
