Since Thailand made marijuana and hemp legal in 2022, by decriminalising them by removing them from the Category 5 narcotics list, Bangkok’s busiest areas have become flooded with food and drink venues serving up cannabis-infused menus. Within a year of the legalisation of cannabis, Thailand’s weed industry was worth 28 billion (1.2 billion AUD) and is projected to be worth 14 billion AUD by 2030. 

But that might all be about to change. A general election took place last year and Thailand’s new government began its leadership in September. The conservative coalition government headed by Pheu Thai Party is calling for there to be a crackdown on cannabis, which it claims has been poorly regulated since its legislation. A new proposal would see marijuana strictly regulated and restricted for medicinal purposes.

The reason for the shift in laws is the spike in cannabis-related psychological issues among locals. More than 37,000 patients sought medical help for side effects of marijuana use in 2022 and it increased to more than 63,000 in 2023. Cannabis has also become extremely unregulated with more than 1.1 million Thai people registering for licenses to grow it and more than 6,000 dispensaries opening in Thailand. 

Rules have been put in place to restrict cannabis use. Locals and tourists can be fined for smoking or vaping in public spaces and fined for causing a ‘public nuisance’, which is not clarified and is up to the discretion of Thai police.  

So, for any Aussies looking to legally consume cannabis without having to travel to Europe, you may soon have to think again. 

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