Thailand has become the first country in Asia to approve the de facto decriminalisation of marijuana – giving people the green light to grow the plant at home.

The country first legalised the use of marijuana in 2018 for medical use and research, but now the Narcotics Control Board has dropped it from its list of controlled drugs.

People can grow cannabis plants at home under the new rule, but must notify their local government first, health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

He added that cannabis cannot be used for commercial purposes without further licences.

Recreational marijuana use in grey area

The rule must be published in the official Royal Gazette and 120 days must pass before home cannabis plants will become legal.

It comes after cannabis was removed from the list of illegal drugs under Thailand’s Narcotics Law last month.

Medicinal cannabis: Campaigners call on Health Secretary after claiming people ‘blocked’ from accessing treatment three years after law change

Nines: Chart-topping rapper jailed for importing 28kg of cannabis into UK from Poland and Spain

World Anti-Doping Agency to review cannabis ban after top US athlete forced to miss Tokyo Olympics

Production and possession of marijuana remain regulated for now due to a tangle of related laws – leaving the legal status of recreational marijuana use in a grey area.

Police and lawyers said it was unclear if possession of marijuana would no longer be an offence subject to arrest.

But the country’s health ministry is set to present a separate draft bill to parliament this week, which will provide details on the legal use of cannabis, including its production and commercial use, as well as guidelines on recreational use.

Paisal Dankhum, a food and drug regulator chief, previously said that homegrown cannabis should be used for medical purposes like traditional medicine, adding there would be random inspections.

Hefty fines

The draft bill pledges that those who grow cannabis without notifying the government could face fines of up to 20,000 baht (£449).

And people who sell the plant without a licence could be handed a fine of up to 300,000 baht (£6,742) or three years in jail.

Health minister Mr Anutin has been the driving force behind decriminalising the drug in Thailand, and the latest rule is expected to help promote cannabis products as a major industry in the country.

Last week, he said that the delisting “responds to the government’s urgent policy in developing marijuana and hemp for medical and health care benefits, developing technology and creating income for the public”.

Thai drinks and cosmetics companies last year launched products containing hemp and CBD, a compound that does not give users a high, after their use was approved for consumer goods.

Related posts:

Gibraltar eases lockdown in ‘Operation Freedom’ amid successful vaccine rollout Myanmar recalls ambassador in UK after he called for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release G7 nations ‘must deliver’ financial aid to climate-vulnerable countries, says Alok Sharma Uighurs ‘treated worse than dogs’ in Chinese camps, ‘people’s tribunal’ hears Putin warns head of MI6: ‘Just live your life and don’t try to spoil Russian-British relations further’ Germany coronavirus restrictions on British travellers eased In a fizz! French wine-makers halt exports as Russia claims champagne name US Navy investigators identify ‘unknown object’ behind South China Sea nuclear submarine collision Madagascar: People becoming desperate as climate change risks destroying country’s natural resources Inside Taliban prison where children as young as 12 are held and inmates have not had a trial Plight of young Afghans ‘absolutely heartbreaking’, says children’s commissioner, urging world to act Breakthrough spinal implant ‘may let paralysed people walk again’