Thailand is working on legislation that would legalize marijuana for medical use. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Reuters reported, as quoted by BTA.
In 2022, Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalize marijuana, but authorities did so without a law to govern it or clear regulations to prevent its recreational use. This led to the widespread use of cannabis, with the emergence of cafes offering it, as well as retailers.
Charnvirakul, whose party played a key role in liberalizing the plant, said Prime Minister Sreeta Thavisin had already agreed that the legislation was an appropriate step.
"I thank the Prime Minister for considering this issue and deciding to issue an act," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The government claims that recreational cannabis use is not allowed and Prime Minister Tavisin wants to re-criminalize it, except for medical use and research. But it is not clear whether steps will be taken in this direction, as Tavisin recommends.
Thailand has seen rapid growth in its domestic marijuana retail sector, with tens of thousands of shops and businesses springing up in the industry over the past two years, with its value expected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025
Anutin Charnvirakul's party, the second-largest in the governing coalition, advocated marijuana for health and economic purposes but not for recreational use, and opposed its recriminalization.