Thailand in Turmoil Over Marijuana Legalization... Late Patch-up Measures Implemented

"Sales to Minors and Pregnant Women Punishable"
"Expected to Boost Farmers' Income" Faces Criticism After Promotion

A general store in Bangkok, Thailand, selling marijuana to tourists [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] The Thai government initially excluded cannabis from the list of narcotics but has since introduced some supplementary measures.

According to local media such as The Nation and the daily Bangkok Post on the 18th, the Thai Ministry of Public Health stated that selling cannabis or cannabis-related products to minors or pregnant women is punishable. The Ministry added that anyone caught providing or selling cannabis to individuals under 20 years old or pregnant women will face up to one year in prison or a fine of 20,000 baht (approximately 730,000 KRW).

The Ministry of Public Health announced that until the cannabis legalization bill passes in the parliament, additional measures will be implemented to prevent children and pregnant women from consuming cannabis.

This move by the Ministry follows a surge in side effects and criticism from experts after the announcement to exclude cannabis from narcotics.

Previously, starting from the 9th, the Ministry excluded cannabis from narcotics and allowed cultivation at home. Accordingly, cannabis products containing more than 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive chemical, are classified as illegal narcotics and are subject to restrictions.

The Thai government's cannabis allowance policy aims to activate the medical tourism industry, which the country is focusing on, by linking it with various related industries such as food ingredients, herbs, and cosmetics. Thailand is considered an ideal region for cannabis cultivation due to its climate.

Following the legal amendments, the Thai government plans to release about 900 people currently on trial for possession or cultivation of cannabis and approximately 3,200 inmates currently imprisoned for related offenses.

However, despite the allowance, cannabis use is limited to medical purposes. Smoking for recreational use in public places is punishable by law. Korean nationals should also be aware that even for medical purposes, smoking cannabis or consuming foods containing cannabis components locally is subject to domestic laws and punishable.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.