Thailand unveils new bill to regulate cannabis while keeping it legal

Thailand’s latest attempt to rein in outdoor tobacco comes after some policy flops, which has led to the passage of a new act to regulate its cannabis industry and to impose restrictions on marijuana use for primarily for medical and health reasons. &nbsp,

In addition to its use in organic, food, and cosmetic products, cannabis or its extracts will be permitted for state agencies to conduct research and medical care. The Public Health Ministry released the new bill earlier this year, just days after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s new administration took office. &nbsp,

In contrast to earlier government efforts to regulate the market, the document bill appears to take a softer approach. For one, it no more contains a provision that directly criminals recreational use of cannabis, which was proposed in an earlier document by ex-premier Srettha Thavisin’s management. It also successfully indicates that the new government has abandoned a campaign to reclassify the facility as a “narcotic.”

However, anyone who uses hemp or its components for purposes not permitted by the costs will be subject to a fine of up to 60, 000 baht. A peak one-year prison term, charges of 100,000 Ringgit, or both are applied to the retailers of cannabis or its products for purposes not specified by the law. &nbsp,

For regulations may prevent the Southeast Asian nation, which decriminalized marijuana for the first time in Asia in 2022, from allowing the plant to be used freely. More than 9,400 cannabis clinics have been permitted to open across the country due to a legitimate pump, many of which are located in well-known tourist destinations and business regions in Bangkok and beyond. &nbsp,

The Pheu Thai Party, the party’s leader, vowed to re-list pot as a narcotic to restrain its use to really health purposes due to concerns over habit, making the drug’s quick availability a hot-button political problem during the national election next year. However, Pheu Thai has been forced to renounce its commitment to keep the plant constitutional due to opposition from the second-largest party in the ruling coalition.

Compliance problems

The proposed legislation calls for tighter licensing regulations for cannabis planting, income, imports, and goods, with existing producers, vendors, or related businesses required to have or use for new licenses or permits or face severe jail terms or fines. &nbsp,

The costs may still cause a compliance concern for growers, dispensaries, and a sizable amount of consumer-agro firms that have cropped up across Thailand, but it is a more favorable way for the cannabis business. The current law requires no more than 0.2 % tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive substance that causes a “high” experience, to be sold, along with cannabis buds, oil extracts, weed-infused chocolate, and baked goods. &nbsp,

” The bill provides for wider functions of hemp to be in line with reality, but it still requires the supervision of licensed medical specialists”, Prasitchai Nunual, a pro-cannabis advocate said in a Facebook post. ” That’s exclusive and subjects an animal’s right to the authority of professionals. Instead, it should state that “uses must not intrude on some ‘ rights.”

Public and business participants have until September 30 to offer their opinions on the proposed legislation. Before submitting it to the government, which had then give it to Parliament for approval, the government may also make adjustments to the policy.