Thailand legalized marijuana more than a year ago, but the new government wants to reverse the law, which could have a major impact on society.
Opening a cannabis store was not Wassaya Iemvijan’s primary ambition. The former lawyer from Bangkok, Thailand, first turned to medical marijuana as an “alternative treatment” to deal with depression.
“I struggled with depression for years,” Iemvijan said. “I found that cannabis helped me, so when it was legalized, we decided to open a shop.”
An indoor marijuana growing facility in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
On June 9, 2022, two days after Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize cannabis, Iemvijan and her husband, Nitikrist Attakrist, also a lawyer, applied for a license to grow and sell the plant.
"The legal profession is under a lot of stress. We want to educate people on how to get the most benefit from the legal use of cannabis as well as the responsibilities that come with it," Attakrist said.
Over the past year, Thailand has seen a marijuana boom, with dispensaries popping up in almost every city and town across the country.
Previously, Thailand considered marijuana illegal, with long prison sentences for those caught trafficking the substance.
But that changed after marijuana was fully legalized. Visitors to Bangkok’s famous Khao San Road or the middle-class district of Thonglor will smell marijuana mixed with the spicy aromas of street food. Cities like Chiang Mai even hold marijuana festivals.
But since the more conservative coalition government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin came to power, signs have emerged that Thailand could reverse its cannabis legalization laws.
"The drug problem has spread recently, especially in the north and northeast of Thailand. We don't need another problem," said new Prime Minister Srettha. "The law needs to be rewritten. We can regulate that marijuana should only be for medical purposes."
It's still unclear how this will affect Iemvijan and Attakrist, as well as countless other cannabis businesses, but the future doesn't look bright for them.
“We strongly oppose any legislation that would harm the cannabis industry,” Attakrist said.
Medical cannabis has been legal in Thailand since 2018, but the 2022 cannabis decriminalization law makes it illegal to grow and sell cannabis and its products.
Under the new regulations, cafes and restaurants will be allowed to serve cannabis-infused food and drinks, provided the products contain less than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
Nitikrist Attakrist (left) and his wife, Wassaya Iemvijan, at their marijuana shop in Bangkok. Photo: CNN
However, smoking marijuana in public spaces remains illegal and severe penalties still apply under Thailand's Public Health Act.
"We have never thought of supporting people to use marijuana recreationally or use it in a way that could cause discomfort to others," said Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
In fact, the majority of cannabis sold in Thailand has a THC content greater than 0.2% THC.
Observers say public cannabis use is on the rise due to regulatory ambiguities.
"There is no clear distinction between smoking medical marijuana and getting high, which has contributed to the high rate of recreational marijuana use," said Ley Singdam, owner of a marijuana shop on the popular tourist island of Phuket.
However, Ley believes it is too late to fix things. "The government is wrong if it thinks changing the cannabis laws will stop people from using it," Ley said.
Attakrist fears the new government's plan to reverse cannabis legalization laws could hit small businesses in the sector.
“The government should have been better prepared from the start,” he said. “They created a regulatory vacuum and now they are trying to push the burden onto business owners and users.”
According to experts, farmers who have abandoned traditional crops such as rice to switch to cannabis cultivation will be greatly affected.
“This industry has supported and created many jobs for people, especially in rural areas,” said Kitty Chopaka, a Bangkok-based cannabis entrepreneur. “Ultimately, the people have to have a voice. I don’t think there has been any other law in Thailand’s history that has had a bigger impact.”
During the election campaign, Mr Srettha's Pheu Thai party vowed to repeal the 2022 cannabis law. But the Thai prime minister's party is now in a coalition with the Bhumjaithai party led by Health Minister Anutin, who has been pushing for cannabis legalization.
The Bhumjaithai Party opposes treating cannabis as a drug. However, it has said it will seek closer oversight of the industry.
But experts say repealing the 2022 law and pushing cannabis businesses back underground is not the solution to the problem.
"The Thai government should collect and analyze data so that decisions are based on concrete evidence," said Gloria Lai, Asia regional director of the International Drug Policy Association.
Employees at a business on Khaosan Road in Bangkok prepare marijuana for sale. Photo: Reuters
Iemvijan said that for now, despite the policy uncertainty, her and her husband's cannabis business is holding up well.
“The situation in Thailand is complicated… but most small businesses like us do not object to new regulations if they are within a reasonable framework and easy to comply with,” she said.
Vu Hoang (According to CNN )
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