Thailand plans to control cannabis use through new legislation rather than reclassifying it as a narcotic, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, marking another shift in policy.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed agreement with using legislation as the solution, according to Mr. Anutin’s statements on Tuesday.
“I would like to thank the prime minister for considering this issue and deciding to enact legislation,” stated Mr. Anutin, whose Bhumjaithai Party has been advocating for the decriminalization of cannabis for medical and economic purposes.
Mr. Anutin shared these remarks following a meeting with Mr. Srettha and Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin on Tuesday, where the prime minister proposed drafting legislation to control the plant rather than listing it again as a narcotic.
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Prommin Lertsuridej, the prime minister’s secretary-general, also attended the discussions, Mr. Anutin added.
“It will be a matter of law and debated in parliament where there is already a draft law,” Mr. Prommin informed Reuters. “Whether it is a narcotic or not is up to parliament.”
In 2022, Thailand became one of the first Asian countries to decriminalize marijuana, albeit without laws or clear regulations to control its recreational use. Mr. Anutin was the minister of public health at that time.
This decision led to a surge in recreational consumption, the emergence of cannabis cafes and retailers, and increased public concerns about its misuse.
Afterward, Bhumjaithai drafted legislation to regulate cannabis consumption, which stalled before it could advance beyond its initial legislative reading due to the calling of an election last year.
The current administration, led by the Pheu Thai Party, asserts that the new regulations under development by the Ministry of Public Health will not permit recreational use of cannabis.
Mr. Srettha earlier stated that the plant would be placed back on the narcotics list, with exceptions for medical and research purposes, giving officials until the end of the year to finalize the rules.
Coalition Tension
Over the weekend, Mr. Anutin played host to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, considered the real leader of Pheu Thai, at the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, owned by the Bhumjaithai leader near Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn, the nominal leader of Pheu Thai, shared a video of a karaoke session.
On Tuesday, Mr. Anutin clarified to reporters that the meeting was purely social and not political, amid speculations that the cannabis disagreement was straining coalition unity.
Thailand has experienced rapid expansion in its domestic retail marijuana sector, with an estimated tens of thousands of businesses arising in the last two years, positioning the industry to potentially reach $1.2 billion by 2025.
As the second-largest party in the current coalition, Bhumjaithai has consistently advocated for cannabis use for health and economic reasons, but not for recreation, and has opposed its recriminalization.
Mr. Anutin, who also serves as the interior minister, mentioned that the government would discuss plans for a draft bill to regulate the cannabis sector, and political parties might present their drafts in parliament.
Proposals to recriminalize cannabis are underway, yet they have not been approved by the Narcotics Control Board. As a board member, Mr. Anutin has promised to oppose such measures.
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board proposed that the new regulations, effective from January 1, 2025, would provide a grace period for operators to adjust and seek new licenses, banning the possession, import, and sale of cannabis flowers and resin unless licensed by the Ministry of Public Health.
It stated that cannabis seeds and parts with low THC content, such as leaves, roots, fiber, and stems, would not be recriminalized.
