Thailand Moves To Legalise Cannabis!
The first steps towards Cannabis legalisation in the Kingdom of Thailand were taken at the beginning of this year. Thailand has traditionally been a major producer and exporter of high grade Cannabis known as “Thai Sticks” because the flowers used to be tied to a thin stick of bamboo.
Thai Cannabis became famous the world over during the 1960’s and 1970’s when American solders were introduced to it during R&R from the war in Vietnam. By the 1980s Thailand had become one of the world’s major exporters of Cannabis.
A Brief History Of Cannabis In Thailand
Thailand has a long and historic relationship with Cannabis. It was used traditionally for millennia as a source of recreation, medicine, food and fibre. Thailand is also considered by many to be the birthplace of the bong known locally as baungs. Traditionally made from bamboo these water pipes were brought back to America with solders returning from the Vietnam war.
The Bangkok Post reported that early this year Thailand’s cabinet legalised the growing of hemp for medical purposes. A proposal was approved to allow the production of Cannabis in 15 of Thailand's districts. This proposal is to be implemented during 2017. The legislation approves the growing of hemp that contains less than 1% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the psychoactive ingredient in Cannabis.
I have been personally been informed by several well connected Thais that recreational use of Cannabis is likely to follow!
Legality Of Cannabis In Thailand
However Cannabis currently remains illegal in Thailand and its use is punishable by up to 1 year in prison. A growing number of countries around the world are changing their outlook on Cannabis to take in to account its health benefits and the hight costs of imprisoning users. This is a global trend and the state of New South Wales in Australia legalised the medical prescription of Cannabis on the 1st of August 2016.
Relaxing The Laws
Thailand’s Government is discussing relaxing drugs laws on several substances including Cannabis, Methamphetamine and Kratom. A recent online poll by Thai Visa found that 80.5 percent of 379 participants were in favour of legalising both recreational and medical Cannabis use.
Clearly the legalisation of Cannabis would be of benefit to Thailand in several ways. Thailand has a well developed tourism industry and making Cannabis legal would only boost visitors to the Kingdom. Thailand also has a strong medical tourism industry and the legalisation of Cannabis would assist this sector of the economy. The potential for foreigners who require medical treatment with Cannabis to subsidise the treatment of locals is also significant.
Photo from prachatai.com
Barriers To Legalisation
However there remains some hurdles to overcome. Thailand's justice minister who was instigating the push for legislation has now been promoted to the King's Privy Council.
The issue of corruption is another barrier to the legalisation of Cannabis in Thailand. With low police salaries the income generated by bribes from those arrested with Cannabis and other narcotics are no small mater. Full legalisation of Cannabis will have to overcome the vested interests of drug lords and enforcement agencies who profit from continued prohibition.
If Thailand legalises Cannabis this could have a marked impact on Cannabis laws across South East Asia who's countries have some of the harshest penalties for recreational Cannabis use in the world.
I will continue to report on this as the situation unfolds!
All uncredited images courtesy of Pixabay
As a Thai, I am so confident that it will take a bit of time to legalize medical cannabis because there is still very small portion of people that are educated about cannabis. Since most of Thai adults are conservative, it will be a lot of controversial on this topic.
I agree, it would probably take some time, but maybe it would be an idea to start something to educate people about it and show them what medical cannabis can do for people? Also once people understand that cannabis smokers cause way less problems than drinkers, maybe that might change things. Either way: I think that they think about it alone is a great thing.
I actually have grown cannabis in my mom house and she doesn't know what the plant is, I told her it was a herb from china and bought it. When I already harvested it I tell her the truth and tell her that I smoke and why I smoke it. Thank to my family for being open minded.
that is great that you have an open minded family. My parents used to think that cannabis was a gateway drug and that as soon as you smoked the first joint, you'd end up with a needle in your arm not long after. It wasn't until we accidentally visited a coffee shop in Amsterdam (I knew what it was, my parents just wanted coffee lol) and my dad spoke to the bouncer there that he found out that they'd rather have 10 smokers than 2 drinkers. I think education in the matter is really important.
And did you try some in Amsterdam? :D
I'm from Holland originally, so yeah :)
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More weed for the people
Great post my bro :D
hopefully soon the world will realize that only this plant can save earth...
Legalize it every where and use it for every things like before the cotton and Nilon/plastic mono-pole from Dupon Pharma in America before Mr. R. Regan came as a puppet president "First Actor President in History" then as we know many more...
Have a great week and see you soon Jockey =)
@jockey Yes it's happening brother! Farmers are ready too ;)
bout time!
This would be a great move and I think it would benefit the country to legalize or at least de-criminalize both medical and recreational cannabis. I think way too many people still end up in prison for having a joint on them and it's costing too much. Legalizing might bring Thailand to one of the most booming countries in Asia. I know I'd be back there and probably never leave :)
Feel warmly welcomed. Just upvoted you.
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Best,
Alex
My dad was in Thailand during the time of the boom serving in the US Air Force. It's how he met my mom. I grew up listening to him tell many stories of Thai ganja that used to make me roll off the couch. It was crazy times back then during Vietnam. I look forward to your future findings on this!
Great news.
Thailand already is one of my favorite countries, been there and am going this November again.