Thailand – Introduction

Is Thailand the new cannabis Mecca of Asia? In today’s blog from the series concerning countries with loose cannabis laws, we visit Thailand. It’s a first Asian country to legalize medical cannabis in 2018. This was big news for cannabis enthusiasts all over the world. Many people and articles comparing Thailand with countries like the Netherlands or some states of the US (such as California). It’s worth taking a proper look at the implemented laws and regulations.

Consumption

All the parts of the plant were taken down from the list of banned substances. It’s also worth mentioning, that extracts and oils with a THC concentration higher than 0,2% are not permitted for everyone. Access to them is permitted only after acquiring a special medical prescription.

Consumption is allowed on private property and special places such as bars or restaurants serving cannabis products. Public use is still prohibited and can result in a monetary fine (around $700) or even incarceration for up to 3 months.

Possessing and using marijuana is also illegal for people under 20. Pregnant or feeding women are also not allowed to possess cannabis – a special approval from a doctor is required.

Cultivation

For now, there are no laws specifying the amount of plants you can cultivate. Although it’s worth mentioning that the laws concerning cannabis are still being prepared and implemented dynamically. The authorities encourage registering grows – this may prove useful in the future when more laws are implemented.

Sale

Authorities of Thailand put a lot of emphasis on the medical properties of cannabis. After receiving a prescription, you can obtain the plant material from official dispensaries offering flowers and extracts. Due to the fact that recreational cannabis has been decriminalized, in practice the access to cannabis is widely available. Many local shops, dispensaries and local vendors offer products exceeding the permitted THC level.

Summary

Thailand is without a doubt an interesting travel destination to look into. In Asia, it is by far the most friendly place for cannabis and its enthusiasts. It’s important to know, that it is still not as loose with its approach to cannabis as the Netherlands or California. Despite official regulations and emphasis on medical usage, cannabis culture is still thriving all over Thailand. For sure, it is an important place on the map for any cannabis traveller.