Thailand could soon remove cannabis from its list of controlled narcotics in addition to allowing the consumption of recreational cannabis and the cultivation of medical cannabis in private residences.
The Bangkok Post reports that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)has drafted a bill to legalise the household cultivation and consumption of medical cannabis and its recreational use in some places in Thailand.
FDA secretary-general Paisarn Dunkum has announced that the bill would allow people to grow cannabis for their own use – provided they report it to their local administrative organisations.
Dr Paisarn added that, when it comes to recreational use, the government has yet to specify the locations people will be able to enjoy the plant.
He said: “Of course, we won’t go to the stage of cannabis cafés, but there are different models for its recreational use in other countries. We’ll select the best one that suits our social context.”
It is reported that, if passed, the bill will need to be published in the official Royal Gazette and 120 days must pass before home cannabis plants will become legal.
Last week, we reported that Thailand could decriminalise the use of recreational cannabis in the near future.
Currently, possession of cannabis in Thailand could land its owner in jail for up to 15 years.
Withid Sariddeechaikool, deputy secretary-general of the FDA, said: “If we’re able to decriminalise marijuana, we will be able to benefit from all of the plant and not just parts of it.
“The flower buds and seeds could be used economically and in compliance with the law.”
In 2018, Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalise medical cannabis. Since then, the government has introduced rules that would allow families to form community groups to grow cannabis and supply the crop to public hospitals and state facilities, as a way of supplementing their income.
Thailand is the first Asian country to realise the potential of cannabis, post-Coronavirus pandemic.
The move, even though it’s still not clear what and when will be introduced, could open the country to tourists and cannabis consumers from all over the world.
