After Thailand became the first Asian country to legalise the use of marijuana last year, the drug has become a political football as Thai politicians head for elections next month. Pro-cannabis activists and retailers say that supplies ‘coming in from the United States’ are hurting the prospects of profitability from domestic cannabis production.
Since 2018, thousands of cannabis shops and businesses have become an integral part and source of attraction at the country’s most-visited tourism hotspots. But from lack of legislative framework towards the demands for regulation on cannabis consumption to political opposition and illegal import of the drug hurting the country’s farmers, the drug has attained a centre stage in Thai polity.
Thailand’s legalisation of weed: What the ongoing tussle is about?
The country is headed for polls on May 14. The marijuana consumption has emerged as a matter seen to be driving political dividends in the southeast Asian country. The opposition has accused the ruling government for rushing through the decriminalisation. They say that it is detrimental to society, particularly the youngsters.
Secondly, the legal framework for regulation of cannabis is not clearly set out. A related proposed law did not get through the parliament in February 2023.
Meanwhile, the cannabis crop has reportedly not given Thai farmers expected financial dividends amid reported illegal import of cannabis from other parts of the world, purportedly due to…
