In June 2022, in Thailand Cannabis Laws and Regulations changed dramatically. Thailand became the third country in the world to legalize cannabis. In addition to Canada and Uruguay, it was the first in Asia to do so. This is a big step for Thailand; previously, its tough stance on pot made it seem like a hard place to get high.
In a monumental decision, cannabis was removed from the category of five narcotics, and 3,000 prisoners who had been convicted of marijuana-related crimes were released on the 9th of June. The announcement opened up growing and consuming weed for medical purposes.
The new amendment allows persons aged 20 years and above to “possess, utilise, look after, and maintain” cannabis. In other words: You are allowed to smoke weed in Thailand.
However, there are still a few concerns around cannabis liberalization in the country – which are being addressed in the upcoming Cannabis-Hemp Bill, sometimes at the end of 2022. The legalization was not “supposed” to encourage people to stay home high all day long. The intention was to help sick people, but we have seen that story play out before in both Canada and America.
As lawmakers debate the regulations, it’s a highly dynamic and evolving situation. That’s why we’ll be updating this article as the situation develops.
Thailand Cannabis Laws: Smoking & Possession
Legally, nothing states that you cannot smoke cannabis flowers. You can buy weed from the store and smoke it in your own privacy at home. Just don’t bring it to another country where it is illegal; be warned, as a Brazilian student experienced who bought legal weed in Thailand and brought it to Bali, he was arrested upon his arrival in Bali for attacking the country’s drug law.
If you’re considering bringing significant amounts of cannabis over the border, we recommend against it. If you still want to, we strongly urge you to find a healthcare practitioner in Thailand and get your medical marijuana prescription from them. Under Thai law, it’s illegal to take cannabis across the border.
You cannot smoke pot on the beach or in public areas. Doing so constitutes a public nuisance and has penalties: up to three months in jail and a fine of $700 (approximately 25,000 THB). In other words, be mindful of the people around you- not everyone will enjoy smelling weed everywhere they go.
At some cafes, you may have the option to smoke your newly purchased marijuana in a designated room away from the public.
Cannabis Edibles & Drinks
When it comes to food and beverage products, ingredients containing cannabis fall under the category of cannabis extracts. This means they can’t include more than two percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana its high. Thailand Cannabis Law make it possible to produce and consume edibles with low THC.
Moving forward, all vendors selling cannabis-infused drinks and edibles will be following food norms. This includes attaching a label stating that the product contains marijuana and attending a tutoring course. So in the coming months, cannabis products may have different labels (similar to what’s used in Western countries).
When walking around destinations frequented by tourists, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and shops selling cannabis-infused dishes and beverages. These are often over 0.2% THC, although it is technically illegal and we advise caution.
Growing & Selling Cannabis
It is legal to trade marijuana or hemp in Thailand. People can grow weed at home, but you need to register your plants at a website which only accepts Thai social security numbers.
As the app was released, more than 30 million logins were registered. The system crashed as a result and it went offline for a little while.
When you’re selling cannabis, there’s a lot of paperwork involved. Records like commercial business licenses, identification cards, details about where you’re sourcing the cannabis, information about your physical store location, etc. will all need to be given.
If you are selling cannabis food products, drinks, or cosmetics in Thailand, you must register and obtain the necessary permissions from the Thai FDA. You also have to ensure the THC content is less than 0.2% by weight.
Orbotics will implement the Cannabis-Hemp Act once it becomes official. Several licenses may be required in order to grow, produce extracts, create and sell the plants and products, import and export cannabis.
Medical Marijuana in Thailand
Cannabis has been legal in Thailand for thousands of years and is deeply entwined in their culture. That’s why it became legal for medical use in 2018 with no restrictions on its use. The herb can be used to treat a variety of health conditions without the need for prescription. Thailand Cannabis Laws made a big change.
One of the principal reasons for the legalization of cannabis was so that we could explore its medicinal and therapeutic properties. If you want to visit Thailand to trial an alternative or natural remedy in marijuana for your health condition, you can do it without worries.
In order to get a prescription for cannabis, you typically have to visit state-approved health facilities. Your existing prescriptions from your doctor elsewhere won’t work if you want to buy medical weed in Thailand, but they can be used to justify your condition to the Thai doctor.
Note that those with a prescription for cannabis can possess only a 30-day supply at a time. Individuals who have a license for marijuana can own THC oils.
Get high with our quality vapes, hash, cannabis oil and other extracts.
One of the differences between hash and cannabis extract is that hash contains more THC than cannabis oil. And since it has high amounts of THC, it is illegal according to U.S. law.
Products made from cannabis plants, such as weed oil and THC oil, are illegal in Thailand. We don’t recommend their use.
Despite what you may see people doing, vaping has always been illegal. Whether it’s a person casually using it or if there’s weed in the mix, you’ll be sorry by the time you feel the long arm of the law.
Cannabis Legalisation – the Way Forward
The cannabis market in Thailand is expected to reach $1.2 billion by the mid-2020s. Decriminalizing marijuana meant unlocking its potential as a cash crop and providing new income streams for society as well.
Despite cannabis being illegal in some places, the recent laws that have made its use legal will not be canceled or taken away. It’s important to remember that Minister Anutin also said that going backwards is not an option.
This is what you need to know before trying cannabis in Thailand:
- Remember, recreational use is illegal and frowned upon in many places
- Please keep your cannabis use to a private setting, preferably inside your home
- You are not allowed to drive a motorcycle, car or other vehicles while high.
- Cannabis products for medical use are legal, but you may want to consult a doctor before using CBD oil or other medicine, as it could interact with any medications you’re currently taking
- Thailand Cannabis Laws may change time by time, please ask your embassy if you are not sure about smoking cannabis in Thailand
