Thailand revamps marijuana rules just days after decriminalisation
The Thai government has hastily issued new rules to limit access to marijuana and hemp after the decriminalisation since June 9 sparked many complaints and raised alarm over the potential for unchecked use of the inebriating plant.
The country’s public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a regulation on June 16 to designate marijuana and hemp as controlled plants, with those under the age of 20, as well as pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, now banned to own and use the plants unless they have permission from doctors.
The decriminalisation of marijuana in Thailand – the first in an Asian country – originally referred to the growing of marijuana and its consumption in food and drinks, with the aim of boosting Thailand’s agriculture and tourism sectors. Smoking weed is technically still against the law.
Weed businesses popping up
But soon after the regulation came into force, businesses began openly selling marijuana, with various strains on offer across Bangkok. For example, one pop-up truck in the popular backpacker area of Khaosan Road quickly started offering weed variants called “Amnesia,” “Jack Haze” and “Night Nurse” to foreigners and locals alike and with great success.
The rapid rise in cannabis sales sparked concern as at least one person had reportedly died from an “overdose” and several were hospitalised after smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana, according to Bangkok city hall.
Confusion about legal status
The problem is that it is still unclear how smoking pot in public should be handled by authorities as the Thai parliament is still debating a draft cannabis regulation bill amid confusion about how the substance can be legally used. The draft bill could be months away from becoming law.
Meanwhile, the government has issued some formal regulations, such as banning cannabis from schools, requirements for retailers to provide clear information on usage of cannabis in food and drinks and the application of a health law that defines smoke from marijuana a “public nuisance” punishable by jail and a fine.
Hasty move
Critics have said the government rushed to remove criminal penalties on marijuana before passing a law to ensure the substance is regulated, possibly with a view towards next year’s elections.
Health minister Anutin, a leading advocate for the legalisation of cannabis, has defended the government’s approach to legalisation.
“We legalised cannabis for medical use and for health,” he said, adding that “usage beyond this is inappropriate… and we need laws to control it.”
[caption id="attachment_38543" align="alignleft" width="300"] Bangkok's new weed selling trucks became quickly popular, but operate in a legal grey area[/caption] The Thai government has hastily issued new rules to limit access to marijuana and hemp after the decriminalisation since June 9 sparked many complaints and raised alarm over the potential for unchecked use of the inebriating plant. The country’s public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a regulation on June 16 to designate marijuana and hemp as controlled plants, with those under the age of 20, as well as pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, now banned to own and use the plants...
The Thai government has hastily issued new rules to limit access to marijuana and hemp after the decriminalisation since June 9 sparked many complaints and raised alarm over the potential for unchecked use of the inebriating plant.
The country’s public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed a regulation on June 16 to designate marijuana and hemp as controlled plants, with those under the age of 20, as well as pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, now banned to own and use the plants unless they have permission from doctors.
The decriminalisation of marijuana in Thailand – the first in an Asian country – originally referred to the growing of marijuana and its consumption in food and drinks, with the aim of boosting Thailand’s agriculture and tourism sectors. Smoking weed is technically still against the law.
Weed businesses popping up
But soon after the regulation came into force, businesses began openly selling marijuana, with various strains on offer across Bangkok. For example, one pop-up truck in the popular backpacker area of Khaosan Road quickly started offering weed variants called “Amnesia,” “Jack Haze” and “Night Nurse” to foreigners and locals alike and with great success.
The rapid rise in cannabis sales sparked concern as at least one person had reportedly died from an “overdose” and several were hospitalised after smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana, according to Bangkok city hall.
Confusion about legal status
The problem is that it is still unclear how smoking pot in public should be handled by authorities as the Thai parliament is still debating a draft cannabis regulation bill amid confusion about how the substance can be legally used. The draft bill could be months away from becoming law.
Meanwhile, the government has issued some formal regulations, such as banning cannabis from schools, requirements for retailers to provide clear information on usage of cannabis in food and drinks and the application of a health law that defines smoke from marijuana a “public nuisance” punishable by jail and a fine.
Hasty move
Critics have said the government rushed to remove criminal penalties on marijuana before passing a law to ensure the substance is regulated, possibly with a view towards next year’s elections.
Health minister Anutin, a leading advocate for the legalisation of cannabis, has defended the government’s approach to legalisation.
“We legalised cannabis for medical use and for health,” he said, adding that “usage beyond this is inappropriate… and we need laws to control it.”
