Thailand Moves to Tighten Cannabis Rules with Medical-Use-Only Bill

A draft cannabis control law that limits use to medical purposes, bans promotion and establishes a national regulatory committee is expected to be submitted to the Thai cabinet soon. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) prepared the draft in an attempt to close regulatory gaps that emerged after cannabis was removed from the narcotics list in 2022. The proposed legislation would create a single framework governing cultivation, production, import, export, sales and public health protection, said Dr Thewan Thaneerat, the department’s deputy director-general. Decriminalisation of cannabis in June 2022 set off a free-for-all across the country in the absence of clear regulations. As recreational use soared, authorities tried various ad hoc measures to reduce abuse but attempts to pass a comprehensive law failed. Decriminalisation was a flagship policy of the Bhumjaithai Party under Anutin Charnvirakul, who was public health minister at the time. The new draft provides for a national cannabis committee chaired by the public health minister to oversee national policy and regulation. Anyone wishing to cultivate, produce, import, export or sell cannabis would require a three-year licence from the DTAM. Exemptions apply to the sale of roots, branches, stems, leaves and seeds, and to medical practitioners using cannabis for treatment under existing laws. The bill prohibits sales to people under 20, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Sales are also banned in temples, schools, dormitories, public parks, zoos and amusement parks. Advertising, promotion and marketing of cannabis flowers, resin and smoking devices are prohibited to discourage recreational use. The draft stipulates that cannabis and its extracts may only be used for medical treatment under professional supervision or for authorised research. Those producing, importing, exporting or selling cannabis without a licence, or selling it to prohibited groups, face imprisonment and fines. Unauthorised use is also punishable by fines. DTAM director-general Dr Pongsathorn Phokphermdee said the department had completed public consultations before submitting the draft to Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat on July 20 for cabinet review.