Thailand Allows 'Daema Jaebae' Cultivation, Later Bans Sales to Minors and Pregnant Women

Government Revises Rules Due to Delay in Passing Cannabis Act... Restrictions Also Imposed on Sales in Parks and Hostels
Increase in Recreational Use and Incidents of Misuse Following Deregulation Lead to Consecutive Side Effects

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] The Thai government, which legalized cannabis for 'medical purposes' last June, has belatedly revised related regulations, including a ban on sales to minors and pregnant women. On the 14th, local media such as Thai PBS reported that the Thai Ministry of Public Health amended the related rules on the 12th after the cannabis law's passage in parliament was delayed.

According to the new regulations, cannabis cannot be sold to individuals under 20 years old, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women, and sales are also prohibited in parks, amusement parks, religious facilities, and hostels. Sales and advertising of cannabis through online channels are restricted, and vending machines cannot be used.

Businesses must provide the government with detailed information on cannabis possession, supply, and usage, and must also report when exporting. Cannabis flower buds containing high levels of psychoactive substances are classified as controlled items. Commercial sale, processing, export, or research requires approval from authorities.

Thailand, the first Asian country to legalize medical cannabis in 2018, removed cannabis from narcotics and allowed home cultivation starting June 9 this year. Since legalization, recreational use including 'cannabis tourism' has increased, and incidents of misuse have emerged, revealing side effects. Amid controversy, authorities have cracked down, stating that recreational cultivation and use are illegal and that sales to minors will be punished. However, no legal amendments matching the legalization have been made until now, leaving a regulatory gap in practice.

Cannabis that does not meet medical standards is reportedly sold for recreational use through the black market. According to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), 95% of cannabis cultivated in Thailand falls below the standards.

While the recent regulatory strengthening has established a basic framework, there are criticisms that the distinction between legal and illegal remains ambiguous and lacks practicality.

At the time of cannabis legalization in June, opposition parties criticized the government for rushing legalization without proper laws, causing social problems.

Controversy over the side effects of legalization measures, such as cannabis use among youth, continues in the political arena. A new cannabis bill was submitted to parliament in September but has yet to pass. Opposition parties, including the Democrat Party, opposed it as insufficient to prevent recreational cannabis use, leading to the bill's withdrawal. The bill is scheduled to be resubmitted to the plenary session this month after reconsideration.

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