(Bangkok, 26th) The Thai government is strengthening the regulation of cannabis sales to prevent Thai citizens and foreign tourists from smuggling cannabis.
According to new regulations from the Thai Ministry of Health, pharmacies can only sell cannabis to individuals with a license or those with prescriptions from doctors or traditional practitioners, with the amount of cannabis sold limited to a 30-day supply. The new regulations will take effect in 40 days, and both foreigners and foreign tourists must comply.
In 2022, Thailand amended the law to decriminalize cannabis but has yet to legislate regulations for its use, resulting in more than 10,700 cannabis pharmacies and various sales points nationwide.
Some criminals and tourists smuggle Thai cannabis in luggage or mail it abroad. Thai authorities intercepted 73 kilograms of cannabis at Suvarnabhumi Airport last week. Since cooperation began last year between British and Thai authorities, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempting to smuggle cannabis. The British authorities previously issued a statement saying that Thai airport authorities have intercepted more than 800 cannabis smugglers and seized over 9 tons of cannabis.
Thai Health Minister Anutin said that cannabis smuggled out of Thailand has reached the UK, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and many other places.
Since the Thai government is still drafting a comprehensive cannabis bill, the aforementioned new regulations are likely temporary.
Anutin said, "The cannabis bill will proceed as planned, and we cannot rush it. We expect it will take another two years to complete. If people remain unsatisfied, we can reconsider making cannabis illegal again."
According to new regulations from the Thai Ministry of Health, pharmacies can only sell cannabis to individuals with a license or those with prescriptions from doctors or traditional practitioners, with the amount of cannabis sold limited to a 30-day supply. The new regulations will take effect in 40 days, and both foreigners and foreign tourists must comply.
In 2022, Thailand amended the law to decriminalize cannabis but has yet to legislate regulations for its use, resulting in more than 10,700 cannabis pharmacies and various sales points nationwide.
Some criminals and tourists smuggle Thai cannabis in luggage or mail it abroad. Thai authorities intercepted 73 kilograms of cannabis at Suvarnabhumi Airport last week. Since cooperation began last year between British and Thai authorities, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempting to smuggle cannabis. The British authorities previously issued a statement saying that Thai airport authorities have intercepted more than 800 cannabis smugglers and seized over 9 tons of cannabis.
Thai Health Minister Anutin said that cannabis smuggled out of Thailand has reached the UK, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and many other places.
Since the Thai government is still drafting a comprehensive cannabis bill, the aforementioned new regulations are likely temporary.
Anutin said, "The cannabis bill will proceed as planned, and we cannot rush it. We expect it will take another two years to complete. If people remain unsatisfied, we can reconsider making cannabis illegal again."