Thailand is preparing to introduce new legislation that would restrict cannabis use to medical and research purposes, prohibit advertising and establish a national committee to oversee the industry.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) drafted the bill to address regulatory loopholes that emerged after cannabis was removed from the country’s narcotics list in June 2022.
Dr Thewan Thaneerat, the department’s deputy director-general, said the proposed law would create a unified regulatory framework covering cultivation, production, imports, exports, sales and public health safeguards.
The removal of cannabis from the narcotics list led to the rapid expansion of dispensaries and recreational use across Thailand, largely in the absence of comprehensive legislation.
Authorities subsequently introduced temporary measures to curb misuse, but previous attempts to pass a dedicated cannabis law were unsuccessful.
Cannabis decriminalisation was a key policy of the Bhumjaithai Party and was introduced while party leader Anutin Charnvirakul was serving as public health minister.
Under the latest proposal, a national cannabis committee chaired by the public health minister would be responsible for setting policy and supervising regulations nationwide.
Businesses and individuals involved in cultivating, producing, importing, exporting or selling cannabis would be required to obtain a three-year licence from the DTAM.
Certain exemptions would apply to the sale of cannabis roots, branches, stems, leaves and seeds, as well as to licensed medical professionals using cannabis treatments under existing legislation.
The draft would prohibit cannabis sales to anyone under the age of 20, as well as to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Sales would also be banned at temples, schools, student dormitories, public parks, zoos and amusement parks.
Advertising, marketing and promotional activities involving cannabis flowers, resin and smoking equipment would be prohibited as part of efforts to discourage recreational consumption.
The proposed legislation states that cannabis and cannabis extracts could only be used for medical treatment under professional supervision or as part of authorised scientific research.
Those who produce, import, export or sell cannabis without a licence could face imprisonment and financial penalties. Similar punishments would apply to businesses selling cannabis to restricted groups, while unauthorised use would be subject to fines.
DTAM director-general Dr Pongsathorn Phokphermdee said public consultations on the legislation had been completed. The draft was submitted to Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat on July 20 and is expected to be forwarded to the cabinet for consideration.
