Legal Status of Cannabis in Thailand and What to Pay Attention to When Consuming Cannabis in Thailand
On June 9, 2022, Thailand became the third country in the world to legalize cannabis, following Canada and Uruguay, and the first in Asia. This is a significant step for Thailand, which has been considered one of the strictest countries in the world regarding cannabis use.
Cannabis was removed from the list of category five narcotic drugs, and more than 3,000 prisoners convicted of cannabis-related crimes were released on June 9th. According to the announcement, this paves the way for the cultivation and consumption of cannabis for medical purposes.
The new amendment allows individuals aged 20 and above to "possess, use, care for, and maintain" cannabis. In other words, you can consume cannabis in Thailand.
However, there are still some issues with the country's cannabis liberalization, which are being addressed by the forthcoming "Cannabis Act" at the end of 2022. Legalization is not meant to encourage people to stay home all day long. The goal is to help patients. But hey, we've seen this story before in Canada and the United States.
Please note that this is a highly dynamic and constantly changing situation as lawmakers continue to debate regulations. As such, this article will be updated as the situation develops.
Smoking and Possessing Cannabis:
It is legal to smoke cannabis in Thailand.
It is legal to smoke and purchase cannabis in Thailand.
Legally, you can possess and consume cannabis flowers, unless otherwise specified by law. You can purchase a bud from a store, smoke it comfortably in your private space, and take a hit. You can even fly domestically with cannabis. However, this does not apply when bringing cannabis in or out of the country, as a Brazilian student who bought legal cannabis in Thailand was arrested for taking it to Bali.
Even if you plan to bring cannabis into Thailand with a doctor's prescription, we strongly advise against it. Instead, we recommend finding a healthcare practitioner in the country and obtaining your medical cannabis prescription from them. Bringing cannabis across the Thai border is still illegal.
The only part you need to consider — and this is an important one — is smoking in public.
You cannot light up cannabis and smoke pots while walking on the beach or on the streets. It is considered a public nuisance and punishable by up to three months in prison and a fine of $700 (about 25,000 Thai baht). In other words, respect those around you, as not everyone enjoys the smell of cannabis everywhere they go.
You may find some cafes with dedicated smoking rooms, out of public view. It is perfectly acceptable to enjoy your newly purchased cannabis here.
Cannabis-infused Food and Beverages:
Food and beverage products containing cannabis fall under the cannabis extract category. According to the law, THC content in these cannabis extracts must not exceed 0.2% — this psychoactive compound makes cannabis highly potent.
Therefore, food, CBD oil extracts (such as those in our online weed store), gummies, etc., are legally allowed to contain only trace amounts of THC.
Looking ahead, suppliers selling infused beverages and food must comply with food standards, including labeling the products as containing cannabis (with some specifications) and attending counseling sessions. As such, in the coming months, you may find cannabis products with different labels (similar to the situation in the West).
Walking around town, you'll find many restaurants and stores selling cannabis-infused dishes and drinks — sometimes with a THC content higher than 0.2%, especially in popular tourist destinations. Technically, this is illegal, and we advise caution.
Growing and Selling Cannabis:
People can grow and trade cannabis and cannabis products. At home, you can grow up to 15 plants. However, only Thai citizens can grow cannabis at home, as you need to register
CBD Oil
CBD oil tinctures and other cannabidiol-related products (such as gummies) are legal to purchase and use in Thailand. In fact, CBD has effectively led the way for the liberalization of cannabis due to its non-psychoactive, non-intoxicating nature.
Medical Mannabis
Medical cannabis is legal in Thailand
Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legal in Thailand.
Cannabis has been used as a medicine in Thailand for thousands of years and has a fundamental relationship with Thai culture. Therefore, medical cannabis was legalized in Thailand in 2018, and its use is 100% legal. All legislators and cannabis supporters believe that this herbal remedy can help treat various health conditions.
This is also the main reason for the legalization of cannabis - to further explore the medicinal and health benefits of this plant. So, if you want to visit Thailand and seek alternative natural therapies with cannabis for your health conditions, you can do so.
You can visit a state-approved medical facility to obtain a cannabis prescription suitable for your situation. If you want to buy medical cannabis, your existing prescription from a doctor elsewhere will not work. However, they can be used to prove your condition to your Thai doctor.
Please note that those with a cannabis prescription can have no more than the amount needed for 30 days of use at a time. However, you are legally entitled to own THC oil.
Vaping, Dapping, Weed Oil, and Other Extracts
Dapping is a concentrated form of weed and is therefore considered a cannabis extract. Since it contains a large amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, it is legally prohibited.
The same applies to cannabis oil, tetrahydrocannabinol oil, e-cigarette oil, wax, Minkonlian, and other extracts processed from the cannabis plant. These products are illegal in Thailand, and we do not recommend using them.
E-cigarettes have always been illegal; even if you see people using them casually, they are still illegal. Smoking cannabis doubles the risk, and you will definitely taste the long arm of the law.
Cannabis Legalization - The Way Forward
By the mid-2020s, Thailand's cannabis market is expected to exceed $1.2 billion. Another key reason behind the legalization of cannabis is to unleash its potential as an economic crop and empower society by providing new sources of income.
Although cannabis enthusiasts find themselves in an uncertain state regarding its legality, the recent cannabis laws that have opened up its use will not be withdrawn or canceled. In the words of Minister of Health Anutin himself, "retreating is not an option."
Therefore, if you choose to smoke cannabis in Thailand, you need to remember the following points:
Recreational use is considered illegal and unwelcome, so please do not smoke in public places.
Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those under 20 years old cannot purchase cannabis.
It is forbidden to drive motorcycles, cars, or other vehicles at high altitude.
CBD oil and other CBD products are completely legal.
Remember to do it respectfully, so you don't disturb anyone.
Some important reminders about the cannabis issue in Thailand (especially for those who have traveled to Thailand and are planning to travel to Thailand):
Last June, Thailand became the first Asian country to legalize cannabis, officially removing cannabis from the country's Class 5 drug list, only stipulating that smoking cannabis in public places is prohibited, and selling cannabis to those under 20 years old, pregnant women, and nursing mothers is prohibited. In addition, retailers selling food and beverages containing cannabis ingredients must label information such as the presence of cannabis ingredients and their content.
After the legalization of cannabis on the streets of Thailand, a variety of cannabis products have appeared on the streets, including ice cream, Thai dishes, smoothies, noodles, and more.
3. Although smoking cannabis is legal in Thailand, it is prohibited in China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Chinese tourists visiting Thailand should be aware of whether the food and beverages you consume contain cannabis ingredients, such as the cannabis leaf symbol on the packaging, and THC or CBD labels.
If you consume cannabis before boarding the plane back to your country, even without carrying it, if you are found to have used drugs upon disembarking, it is equivalent to using drugs domestically and is subject to the "Public Security Administration Punishment Law" and "Drug Rehabilitation Regulations". If you carry or smuggle cannabis into China and are caught by Chinese customs, no matter the quantity, it constitutes "smuggling" and will be held criminally responsible; the detection period for drugs in hair can be several months or even years.
cannabis is still a strictly controlled substance under the United Nations drug conventions, and carrying or using cannabis is illegal in the vast majority of countries. Smoking cannabis is harmful to human health. cannabis is addictive; in the short term, it can affect thinking, judgment, learning, memory, and motor coordination abilities; in the long term, it can damage nerves, lungs, and brain functions.
