Thailand hoped cannabis would improve its economy. Now the country has decided to ban recreational use.
Marika Harjumaa,
Eeva Eronen
Thailand will ban the recreational use of cannabis at the end of this year, says the country’s health minister. Medical use is still allowed.
Thailand was the first country in Southeast Asia to decriminalize the use of cannabis – first for medical and research use in 2018, then for others in 2022.
After the decision, a lot of cannabis-based business has sprung up in the country, the value of which is predicted to rise to up to 1.2 billion dollars next year.
– Without the regulation brought by the law, cannabis will be misused, Minister of Health Cholnan Srikaew said, referring to entertainment use.
According to him, the abuse of cannabis has a negative effect on children in Thailand and can lead to the use of other drugs.
Thailand legalized cannabis because its production was expected to boost the country’s economy. The legalization made many tourists excited about Thailand, which has torn the country’s leadership.
Former Minister of Health of Thailand I begged Charnvirakul has said bluntly that the country does not welcome cloud tourists.
Europe moving towards legalization
While Thailand is packing with cannabis, steps are being taken in Europe to legalize it. Germany legalized cannabis last week. In the future, Germans will be able to possess a maximum of 50 grams of cannabis and cultivate three marijuana plants.
In addition, various experiments are underway all over Europe. Europe’s first legal cannabis fields have been established in Switzerland.
On the other hand, cannabis tourists are rampant in Europe as well. Amsterdam recently started a campaign called Stay Away. It is targeted at ill-behaved tourists who come to the city to use too much alcohol and drugs.