Thailand decriminalizes marijuana, unclear about recreational use

Robert Besser
28 Jan 2022, 02:41 GMT+10

In a landmark move, Thailand, on January 25, emerged as the first Asian nation to decriminalize the use of marijuana for research and science uses
It is not known whether it will be legal for recreational use
Anutin Charnvirakul, the minister of health, declared that the Narcotics Control Board had consented to excluding cannabis from the illegal drug listing at the ministry

BANGKOK, Thailand: In a landmark move, Thailand, on January 25, emerged as the first Asian nation to decriminalize the use of marijuana for research and science uses.

It is not known whether it will be legal for recreational use.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the minister of health, declared that the Narcotics Control Board had consented to excluding cannabis from the illegal drug listing at the ministry.

A formal signing by Charnvirakul is required, and go into effect 120 days after being published in the government bulletin.

Meanwhile, police officials are asking for guidance as marijuana possession becomes decriminalized.

The new Thai classifications will continue listing cannabis containing over 0.2-percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as being illegal.

The process of decriminalizing cannabis began two years ago in Thailand. Charnvirakul has played a leading role in the decriminalization of marijuana.

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