Thailand is implementing new cannabis regulations requiring medical prescriptions for purchases in a bid to combat smuggling amid rising concerns over tourists smuggling cannabis out of the country. These changes will affect both locals and visitors and are expected to take effect in approximately 40 days, following a recent large seizure at the airport. The full legislation for comprehensive cannabis control is still under development.
Thailand is taking significant steps to tighten regulations surrounding cannabis amidst a growing problem of smuggling. In response to recent increases in tourists trying to take large amounts of cannabis out of the country, the government will now require medical prescriptions for purchases from dispensaries. This change is set to take effect in about 40 days and will enforce that only licensed individuals or those given prescriptions by healthcare professionals, including traditional medicine practitioners, can buy cannabis. Additionally, sales will be capped at a limit intended to cover 30 days of usage.
The Ministry of Public Health reported that these new regulations will affect both locals and tourists alike. This announcement follows a recent incident where authorities seized 73 kilograms of cannabis at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. According to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, cannabis smuggled out of Thailand has been found in destinations like the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, and Hong Kong. Given this trend, the government aims to ensure that cannabis is only accessible for medical purposes moving forward.
Despite making history as the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis in 2022, Thailand has faced challenges in regulating its widespread use. The lack of a comprehensive cannabis law has led to a proliferation of over 10,700 dispensaries across the country, including many situated in bustling tourist areas and major districts in Bangkok.
The situation has been complicated by varying political opinions on cannabis within the ruling party, Pheu Thai. They initially promised to restrict marijuana use to medical purposes only by reclassifying it as a narcotic. However, opposition from the Bhumjaithai Party, another major faction in the ruling coalition, has caused them to retract this proposal, allowing cannabis to remain legal.
On the matter of smuggling, cannabis has increasingly been found in tourists’ luggage or shipped via mail. The connection between Thai and British authorities has revealed that over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempting to smuggle cannabis. In total, Thai customs officials have intercepted more than 800 cannabis smugglers and confiscated over nine tons of the substance.
Plans for stricter regulations are only a part of Thailand’s evolving approach to cannabis. The full legislation intended to comprehensively regulate the use, sales, exports, and production of cannabis has yet to pass through government approval. Initially presented in September, the draft cannabis bill is still pending cabinet and parliamentary deliberation. Somsak indicated that the complete bill would take time, estimating a two-year period before it might be finalized.
The public and stakeholders in the industry are invited to provide their feedback on the new ministry regulations by June 5, which will then be reviewed for cabinet approval. The developments hint at a move toward making regulations more robust in the face of rising issues with cannabis use and smuggling.
In summary, Thailand’s new regulations on cannabis sales aim to curtail smuggling and control its distribution, particularly influenced by rising tourist-related issues. By requiring medical prescriptions for purchases, the government hopes to restrict access mainly for medical use. Although the country was a pioneer in cannabis decriminalization in Asia, ongoing policy debates and the proliferation of dispensaries have led to calls for a more structured legal framework, which is still in progress. The government is also opening channels for public feedback as it navigates these new regulations and the future of cannabis legislation.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
