Thailand Could Be Exporting Cannabis by 2021
A new proposed law in Thailand could allow farmers to legally grow Cannabis without being associated with a university or medical institution - a current requirement for those looking to cultivate Cannabis. The Public Health Ministry and the National Legislative Assembly are expected to make an official announcement in the coming months with details, and the National Farmers’ Council expects the new law to be implemented by the end of next year. The crops would be primarily for export as the country hopes to cash in on the international cannabis industry.
Things have been moving fast in Thailand. The newly formed coalition government between Bhumjaithai and Chartthaipattana parties has led to an open minded dialogue about a legal Cannabis industry. Current Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pushed for decriminalisation and full legalisation of the plant and believes it will be Thailand’s major cash crop - the likely reclassification of medical Cannabis as an ‘economic crop’ would allow for much greater flexibility for production and export. Due to its ideal climate Thailand is able to produce cannabis for much cheaper than other competitors in the region such as New Zealand.
As it stands, the new proposed law is only in the draft stage. It will go to the Office of the Council of State to be assessed, then forwarded to the House panel for further consideration. The panel will then forward it to the lower House. The proposed law has had interest and backing from local officials, including Phuket’s Public Health Chief Thanit Sermkaew, who held a workshop at the island province’s Rajahabat University speaking about how the law would look like when implemented. He mentioned the need to introduce new strains and research including how to “dry process marijuana and produce hemp oil to provide medical and research benefits''. Furthermore relaxing the laws could draw in a new type of wellness tourism - Marut Jirasrattasiri, the director of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine told The Bangkok Post “Thailand is already a tourist destination for many foreigners, and Cannabis will be another attraction for the country and for medical tourists.” - a draw which could be very useful in the badly hit tourism industry in the wake of Covid-19.
Thailand has always been a focus of the illicit international cannabis trade, with famous landrace varieties such as the “red Thai stick” being sought after all over the world in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. In spite of this traditional image and regardless of the recent progress, recreational Cannabis is still classed as a Category 5 drug which can land you anywhere between 2 to 15 years in prison. More serious trafficking offences can even reach a death penalty sentence. Cannabis farm raids are still a regular occurrence, and just yesterday police found and confiscated over 300 kilos in Bangkok. Social attitudes towards illicit drugs in general are not favourable, however the taboo around Cannabis is quickly being broken. It has widely become socially accepted both as a medicine and recreational drug in recent years, and the doors are quickly being opened for Thailand to join the legal international Cannabis industry, breaking barriers for Asia where drug policy is typically harsh.