The law remains to be passed. Until then there is a relevant sailing guide for tourists
Half a dozen varieties of “greens” are carefully arranged on a sleek metal counter. Their names spark the imagination, such as Painkiller, Gorilla Burger or Mango Sunset Haze. The craze for cannabis shops in Thailand, which have mushroomed across the country in recent times, knows no bounds. Be it locals, tourists, or foreigners living there. “All of our produce is grown here in Thailand, which really helps the economy,” says a salesperson at the chic The Dispensary shop in Bangkok.
“Helps tourism and the economy”
Since the government suddenly legalized cannabis last June, the former Siam has become the new mecca for marijuana users from around the world. The names of the countless shops say it all: Cannabangka, Cannabis Twins, The Chillax, Ministry of High and Fat Buds Weed Shop, to name just a few. The palette ranges from haunts of rather dubious reputation to upscale specialty shops. Whereas before anyone who took even a puff from a joint in Thailand risked a prison sentence, now people can smoke freely. In other countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore, however, possession of cannabis can lead to long prison terms or even and to the death penalty. “The current legal situation helps tourism, which is slow to recover after the pandemic,” says Thomas, a German who immigrated to Bangkok 20 years ago. “The sudden opening shows how unique Thailand is. In Europe, cannabis has been discussed for decades, while here the legal situation can change overnight, in this particular case positively.”
And because the rules are constantly being adjusted and the relevant law is still under consultation in parliament, the Ministry of Health has now published a guide to cannabis. The guide is titled “Ten things tourists should know about cannabis in Thailand”. The tourism offices of the individual provinces have been instructed to distribute it. The guide aims to help tourists get to know and adapt to this environment, to understand what is allowed and what remains illegal. Perhaps the most important rule is that cannabis products may not be consumed by people under the age of 20. In Germany, experts say that young people in particular are at risk of significant health effects from regular consumption. The products are also prohibited for pregnant or those who are breastfeeding, unless under medical care. It is also not allowed to transport cannabis seeds or parts of the cannabis plant to or from Thailand for personal use. “But as long as marijuana stays in the country, customers can basically buy as much as they want,” says Andre, the Russian-Canadian owner of Cannabis Kingdom.
Will the ban return?
The store in the central district of Silom opened its doors just a few days ago and is a mix of a Ganja-Shop and a coffee shop. And business has been booming ever since. “Koreans, Japanese, Russians and Germans, but also many Thais, have already come, experienced consumers as well as inexperienced,” says Andre. However, it is not allowed to smoke marijuana directly inside the premises. This is also mentioned in the government guideline. “Smoking cannabis in public places, including schools and shopping malls, is illegal,” it says. For this reason, many shop owners have set up private smoking areas in their area. The architect behind the decriminalization of cannabis is Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand’s Minister of Public Health. Last year the government gave away up to one million cannabis plants to private households to boost production. In this way, he wants to help the economy weakened by the pandemic.
Officially, of course, cannabis is marketed only for medical and industrial use, but since it has been removed from the list of illegal drugs, its recreational use is no longer prohibited. But until its legalization is finally secured and with the stamp of the law, along with the smoke or the characteristic smell of marijuana, it continues to mix in the tropical air of the country and the concern about what is to come. Most shop owners, however, do not believe a full ban will return. The financial benefits are too great for this. German immigrant Thomas says: “Of course, there are conservative voices who insist that the use of cannabis be banned again. But this has to do with politics rather than ethics or health.” A recent editorial in the Bangkok Post wrote that it was impossible to turn back the clock and make marijuana use punishable by prison terms. That would be unrealistic. “The use of cannabis just needs to be properly regulated, especially so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
