Thai lawmakers continue to push for an overarching law on the use of cannabis for medical and research purposes. This is because a lot of green gold has been legalized in the country without the correct regulations, these authorities believe.
Last year, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to do so cannabis decriminalized. However, too little time has been spent on regulations and measures regarding use.
New cannabis legislation
The new law will target an industry expected to be worth $1,2 billion in the coming years, with cannabis shops popping up in the capital Bangkok and tourist hotspots such as the holiday island of Phuket.
“Cannabis will be for medical purposes and research,” said Saritpong Kiewkong of the Bhumjaithai Party, which spearheaded decriminalization and is now the second-largest part of Thailand's XNUMX-party coalition government.
There is currently no sound policy for recreational use. That creates bizarre situations. The draft law is expected to take a year to be finalized and passed. It covers, among other things, permits for plant cultivation, sale and distribution and stricter measures against sales in temples, schools and amusement parks.
Source: Reuters.com (EN)
