Traveling to Thailand for a High Time? Here’s What Tourists Need to Know About Cannabis”
Thailand has made headlines as the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis, attracting tourists who are curious about the herb’s newfound legality. But, before you pack your bags for a Thai weed adventure, the Thai Ministry of Public Health has released a guide for tourists titled “10 Things Tourists Need to Know about Cannabis in Thailand” in order to inform visitors about the legalities and limitations of cannabis in the country.
In the current legal climate, hundreds of cannabis dispensaries – both recreational and medical – have opened. The ministry has asked provincial tourism offices to distribute the English-language handbook to visitors and plans to make it available in other languages including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Russian.
The guide covers the following 10 points:
- It is not allowed to carry seeds or parts of cannabis plants into or out of Thailand for personal use.
- Cannabis cultivation is legal, but registration through the Food and Drug Administration’s Plook Ganja application or a government website is required.
- Obtaining an official permit is necessary for using cannabis flower buds for research, export, and sale, as well as processing them for commercial purposes.
- Individuals under 20 years old, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women are not allowed to use cannabis, except under the supervision of healthcare professionals.
- Possession of extracts containing more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and synthetic THC requires permission.
- Cannabis-containing dishes are available at authorized restaurants.
- Approved cannabis health products can be accessed through specific channels.
- Smoking cannabis in public spaces, including schools and shopping malls, is illegal.
- It is advisable to avoid driving after consuming food or health products containing cannabis.
- Those experiencing negative health effects from consuming cannabis should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
So, whether you’re a medical patient or just curious, brush up on Thailand’s cannabis laws before you go. Your high time in the Land of Smiles might just depend on it.
