Thailand Re-Criminalizes Recreational Weed: Tourists Blamed, Political Turmoil Persists
Thailand is moving towards recriminalizing cannabis, shifting from its 2022 decriminalization, due to the exit of a pro-weed party from the coalition and the lack of regulations. A new Health Ministry notification, effective imminently, mandates medical prescriptions for cannabis use, prompted by the growth of unregulated dispensaries and widespread recreational use. This shift aims to address public complaints and curb issues like cannabis smuggling. Furthermore, a comprehensive cannabis bill is likely to be scrapped, as the government prepares for broader recriminalization, limiting use to medical purposes and requiring a doctor on-site at dispensaries.