Thailand to Give a Legitimate High to 4000 Detainees

More than 3,000 people serving prison sentences in Thailand for cannabis-related offenses will be released tomorrow after the country’s Ministry of Public Health removed hemp and cannabis from the country’s list of Category 5 narcotics.

This is just the latest in a series of measures Thailand is rolling out as it legalizes cannabis, including the distribution of free cannabis plants to its citizens. To follow these stories and others from around the world, download our free cannabis news app.

Over 4000 Thai Prisoners Eligible to Have Cannabis Sentences Dropped

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said today that there are currently 4,075 people serving sentences in prisons across Thailand, having been convicted of drug abuse offenses related to cannabis or hemp.

Of these, he said, 1,004 were also convicted of other offenses, and they will not benefit from the change in the law and will have to serve their time for the other offenses. However, Thailand’s courts will vary their verdicts to strike out convictions related to cannabis or hemp.

Any cannabis or hemp-related cases still pending before the court, prosecutors, or the police should be dismissed or dropped.

Thailand Introduces New Cannabis and Hemp-Related Laws

Thailand had already decriminalized the production and use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes last year. However, the new laws go a step further by highlighting the beneficial aspects of the plant in the country’s economic context. Indeed, as of 2020, cannabis has been registered as a significant industry in Thailand.

Under the new law, possessing cannabis or cannabis plants is no longer illegal, regardless of the amount. However, while simple possession is no longer controlled in Thailand, cannabis containing over 0.2% THC for commercial purposes without a license or medical certificate remains strictly forbidden.

Thailand Has Economic Interests

The campaign has been led in this direction by the Ministry of Health since 2019. Thailand thus becomes the first country in Asia to decriminalize the plant.

However, while the campaign has been directed by the health minister, the economic benefits cannot be ignored. According to the Minister of Health, the decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand not only “responds to the urgent policy of the government to develop cannabis and hemp for medical and health purposes, but also to develop our technologies and create income for the public.”

Smoking Cannabis now Permissible in Most Cases

Deputy National Police Chief for Narcotics Prevention and Enforcement, Police General Roy Inkhapairote, said smoking cannabis in Thailand will no longer be a crime from tomorrow but should not disturb others. If so, the person responsible could be charged with public nuisance under the Public Health Act, which carries a maximum jail term of three months or a fine of 25,000 baht.

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(Featured image by Falkenpost via Pixabay)

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First published by ThailandeFR and 20 Minutes, a third-party contributor translated, combined, and adapted the articles from the original. In case of discrepancy, the originals will prevail.

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