Thailand tightens cannabis controls, experts say fake medical bills and black market should be more preventive

(Central News Agency reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, 9th) Three years after Thailand relaxed cannabis control, the government will tighten cannabis control. In the future, cannabis will only be used for medical purposes. Previously, the Thai Ministry of Health banned the recreational use of cannabis last year and required a prescription for medical use. Experts believe that there may still be loopholes in the regulations for possession and consumption, and there are deeper concerns about fake medical bills, black markets and illegal exports that should be nipped in the bud.

The Thai Cabinet passed a draft cannabis control bill on September 22, limiting the use of cannabis to medical and research, and sent it to Congress for review. Waritha Sirithornsiraphathana, who runs a cannabis shop in Bangkok's Thonglor district, heard about the incident and sighed helplessly, saying, "It's not surprising." She told Central News Agency that the policies regarding cannabis have changed rapidly in the past few years, leaving her almost at a loss as to what to do.

Thailand will open cannabis for medical and research purposes in 2019, and will allow the general public to grow and consume cannabis in 2022. Since then, cannabis shops have sprung up in Thailand, and various recreational projects with cannabis themes have appeared.

However, after the government led by the Pheu Thai Party took office in 2023, cannabis policy began to change. The Department of Health signed an order last year banning recreational marijuana sales.

After the deregulation of cannabis in 2022, Valita opened three cannabis stores and operated two cannabis farms. Her business suffered a setback last year after the government banned the sale of recreational marijuana, with a noticeable decrease in foreign customers.

She told Central News Agency that currently two of the three cannabis shops have been closed, and their monthly income has been reduced by about 500,000 to 1 million baht (approximately NT$470,000 to 950,000 NT dollars). In the past, including stores, warehouses and cannabis farms, the total investment was more than 5 million baht. She also said: "The money invested at the beginning has not been recovered. Now I don't know what to do, I can only continue to do it."

She pointed out that after the policy change, the farm also had to be quickly transformed to comply with medical use regulations. At that time, she cut down a large number of plants in one day and estimated that the loss was about 4 million to 5 million baht.

Having invested more than 5 million baht, it is difficult for the operator to recover the capital.

Central News Agency actually visited the famous Khaosan Road in Bangkok and observed that there are still many cannabis shops on the street. According to statistics from the Khao San Road Business Association, there are currently more than 100 cannabis shops in the business district. If the cannabis control bill is passed, it is estimated that about half of the businesses may be forced to close their doors.

According to the draft passed by the Thai Cabinet, if existing cannabis shops want to renew their licenses in the future, they must be transformed into medical institutions. The shops must have medical personnel, and cannabis can only be provided according to a doctor's prescription. The association pointed out that this will increase the personnel cost of cannabis shops by about 30,000 to 50,000 baht per month.

The 43-year-old Valita revealed to CNA that she used to run restaurants and engage in interior design. After the relaxation of cannabis regulations in 2022, she started operating cannabis stores and cannabis farms at the invitation of Australian partners. "I didn't expect that cannabis policies would continue to tighten controls in just a few years, causing heavy losses to the business."

In order to comply with regulations, Valita is studying pharmacy to meet medical use requirements. In addition, the cannabis farm she operates has been certified to general cultivation standards in the past. After future policy changes, it must also meet medical-grade standards.

Bundit Sornpaisarn, an expert at the Canadian Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), told CNA that draft bills related to cannabis have been proposed many times in the past, but due to political factors, the legislation has never been completed. It is still uncertain when it will officially become law.

Moreover, he also pointed out that if the new law is implemented, it will further strengthen the control of cannabis cultivation, but there may still be loopholes in the regulations on possession and consumption.

As controls tighten, experts worry it will be difficult to block the illegal market

Bandit explained that the new law mainly strengthens the control of cannabis cultivation, but if legal purchases require a prescription, the illegal market is not effectively controlled, and fake medical certificates and illegal transactions may still occur; in addition, if possession control is insufficient, it may also create space for illegal exports.

A foreign tourist who did not want to be named revealed to the Central News Agency that it is still quite easy to obtain recreational marijuana at a marijuana store. Usually the store will help obtain a medical certificate to purchase marijuana.

Bandit said that even if the government requires medical certificates, some stores may still provide fake medical certificates. He believes this is one of the issues that cannabis policy needs to address right now.

For some foreign tourists, Thailand’s tightening of cannabis policies may not affect travel plans. Alexander, a tourist from Switzerland, told CNA that whether marijuana is legal or illegal, it does not affect his visit to Thailand. He mainly visited because he likes Buddhism and thinks Thai people are friendly.

Tourists have different opinions, experts call for open discussion

Another tourist from Cuba, Gigi, who has lived in Thailand for about three years, believes that compared with the Netherlands, where the cannabis industry has matured, Thailand's relevant regulations have changed significantly. "What will happen today, what will happen tomorrow" is difficult to grasp.

Expert Bandit called on the government to include more public opinions before formulating or revising cannabis policies. He pointed out to the Central News Agency, using Canada as an example, that before the legalization of recreational use, political parties publicly discussed the direction of the policy. He said that in comparison, Thailand initially relaxed cannabis control in the name of medical use, but then saw rapid development of recreational use. Therefore, he believes that "whether Thailand's cannabis policy should adopt medical use or recreational use still needs to be discussed openly."

As for cannabis store operators, they only hope that the authorities can provide clear policy direction. Valita said: "I just hope the government can provide clearer regulations so that businesses can know how to continue operating under the new system." (Editor: Wei Shu) 1151009

Cherish life and stay away from drugs. You can call the Drug Harm Control Center hotline at 0800-770-885 to seek addiction treatment information and professional assistance.

Cherish life and stay away from drugs. You can call the Drug Harm Control Center hotline at 0800-770-885 to seek addiction treatment information and professional assistance.