“In the new law, cannabis will be a controlled plant, so growing it would require permission,” he said. “We will support (cannabis cultivation) for the medical and health industry.”
The draft law specifies a fine of up to 60,000 baht (US$1,700) for recreational use, while those selling cannabis for such use and participating in advertisement or marketing of buds, resin, extract or smoking devices face jail terms of up to a year, or a fine of up to 100,000 baht or both.
It also toughens punishment for cannabis farming without a licence, with jail terms ranging from one to three years and fines from 20,000 baht to 300,000 baht.
Import, export, cultivation and commercial use of cannabis will also require permits now, the minister added.
The government, recognising the economic benefit of the cannabis industry, would give businesses time to adjust to the new regulation, Cholnan said.
Such shops could operate until their licences expire and convert to legal cannabis clinics if they follow the new rules, Cholnan said, adding that the new regulation would have no impact on tourism.