Thai government considers recriminalising cannabis

Thai Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew expressed concerns over the widespread disagreement among the populace regarding the Pheu Thai Party’s proposal to reclassify cannabis as a criminal substance.

This apprehension stemmed from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s recent interview with France 24, a state-owned French news channel, where he disclosed the government’s intention to regulate cannabis, which had been decriminalized since 2022.

During the interview, PM Srettha hinted at the adverse effects of cannabis legalization on the Thai economy, leading many to interpret his stance as supportive of reinstating cannabis as a controlled substance.

Cholnan offered clarification regarding the Prime Minister’s remarks, emphasizing that the government’s stance, as articulated in parliament, is to utilize cannabis exclusively for medicinal purposes, with implications for the economy.

Currently, only products containing more than 0.2% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol – the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis) by weight are considered illegal.

To reclassify cannabis as an illicit substance, adjustments would be required in the public health ministerial announcement, potentially triggering significant repercussions by necessitating revisions to existing ministerial regulations.

Nonetheless, Cholnan underscored that the non-medical use of cannabis flower buds and extracts, high in THC content, remains illegal. Cultivating cannabis necessitates official authorization.

He reiterated that using cannabis flower buds for recreational purposes contravenes the law, and even dispensaries offering cannabis for recreational use could be in violation of cannabis regulations, despite protection under Thai traditional medicine laws.

The Ministry has already drafted legislation concerning cannabis control, currently under review by the Council of State, the government’s legal entity, before submission to parliament.

Decisions concerning cannabis ultimately lie with the Prime Minister, Cholnan emphasized.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin urged expedited action on issuing the cannabis control law, citing the existing legislation governing kratom plants, which has already taken effect.

During a meeting with relevant agencies, Somsak discussed kratom and other medicinal herbs, collectively contributing around four billion baht annually to the economy on average. He anticipated a potential increase to tens of billions of baht with the enactment of the cannabis control law.

While the cannabis law is pending parliamentary review, the utilization of cannabis for medical purposes is facilitated by public health regulations and the medicinal herb law.

However, Somsak highlighted gaps in these laws, underscoring the need for comprehensive coverage of all cannabis usage scenarios.