Following the decriminalization of cannabis in the kingdom in 2022, the health minister of Thailand announced on Tuesday that the government would swiftly draft a bill outlawing its recreational use.
In June 2022, the previous government—which included the pro-legalization Bhumjaithai party—removed cannabis from the list of illegal drugs.
The action sparked the emergence of hundreds of cannabis dispensaries across the nation, especially in Bangkok, which alarmed opponents who called for stricter laws.
On Tuesday, the kingdom’s health minister said the new bill — which bans the recreational use of cannabis — will be proposed to the cabinet meeting next week.
“The new bill will be amended from the existing one to only allow the use of cannabis for health and medicinal purposes,” Chonlanan Srikaew told reporters.
“The use for fun is considered wrong.”
Since taking office in August of last year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has made it clear that he only supports the drug’s medical use and is against its recreational use.
The public put more pressure on the British rock band Coldplay last weekend after fans claimed on social media that “the entire concert smelled like marijuana” during their shows in Bangkok.
