Thailand Moving Toward Medical-Only Cannabis Regulations?

After initially removing cannabis from its list of narcotics in 2022, Thailand is now considering reclassifying it as a Category 5 narcotic, restricting its use to medical purposes only. This move is driven by the new government, although key political figures are advocating against the reclassification, citing concerns about investor confidence and legal uncertainties for the cannabis industry.

In 2022, Thailand made headlines worldwide by removing cannabis from its list of narcotics. This decision created a significant legal void, leading to an increase in cannabis-related activities throughout the country. Dispensaries sprang up on almost every corner of Bangkok, and both tourists and residents could easily access them.

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Push Toward Medical Regulation for Thailand

However, the landscape of cannabis laws in Thailand is once again on the verge of radical change. Following the general elections in May 2023, the new government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, plans to regulate cannabis. A government committee has already voted in favor of reclassifying cannabis and hemp as “Category 5 narcotics,” aligning them with kratom and psychedelic mushrooms.

Thai Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has strongly opposed the recreational use of cannabis, associating it with serious issues such as heroin addiction, depression, and suicide—a position many consider outdated and lacking scientific basis. Despite this, the committee unanimously acknowledged the therapeutic and medical properties of cannabis and agreed it should be used for medical purposes only, not recreationally.

Public Opinion and Government Actions

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Health showed that a significant majority, about 80% of the 111,201 respondents, supported the reclassification of cannabis to its former illegal status. Nonetheless, this plan has faced considerable opposition. A hundred protesters gathered outside the Thai Prime Minister’s official residence, expressing their dissatisfaction and calling for a thorough study of cannabis’s benefits. Prasitchai Nunual of the Thai Cannabis Future Network requested the creation of a new committee to establish facts regarding cannabis consumption and its impact on the country.

The reclassification decision, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, has raised concerns among cannabis advocates and political figures in Thailand. Anutin Charnvirakul, head of the Bhumjaithai Party and former Public Health Minister, is a strong proponent of cannabis legalization. He has pledged to oppose the reclassification when it is submitted to the Narcotics Control Board (OCB), emphasizing the need for political stability to maintain investor confidence.

Mr. Charnvirakul argued that frequent changes in cannabis policy could discourage investors and harm the country’s economic prospects. He warned that recriminalization could lead to legal uncertainties for those who have invested in the cannabis industry and those who cultivate cannabis plants in Thailand.

Bhumjaithai Party Continues Advocating Cannabis Legalization in Thailand

The Bhumjaithai Party, which played a central role in the initial legalization of cannabis in Thailand, remains a key player in this debate. The party’s flagship policy during the 2019 general elections was to decriminalize cannabis, a promise Charnvirakul fulfilled when he was appointed Public Health Minister. However, with his current position as Interior Minister, the party’s influence on health policies has diminished, now falling under Thepsutin of the Pheu Thai Party.

Charnvirakul has made it clear that if a cabinet reshuffle allows the Bhumjaithai Party to regain control of the Ministry of Public Health, he would immediately work to remove cannabis from the list of narcotics in Thailand. His commitment to this cause underscores the deep political divisions and complexity of cannabis legislation in Thailand.

As Thailand moves toward new cannabis regulation, several critical questions remain unanswered, including the future of businesses established so far and local growers.

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(Featured image by Florian Wehde via Unsplash)

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