Thailand Plans Medical Marijuana Legislation

Thailand has reversed its plans to re-criminalize marijuana and will instead work towards legislating its medical use. Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin agreed to issue an act to control cannabis use, signaling a shift from earlier intentions to re-list it as a narcotic. This decision comes after Thailand saw an explosion in recreational use following its 2022 decriminalization of the plant, leading to concerns about abuse. Advocacy groups and industry stakeholders had protested against the move to re-criminalize, and the ruling coalition remains divided on the issue. The new legislation aims to regulate cannabis use for medical purposes while prohibiting recreational use. The draft bill will be discussed in parliament, potentially calming tensions within the coalition government and providing clarity to the fast-growing cannabis industry.