Legalisation of marijuana in Thailand allows people to grow and buy cannabis products

Thailand is seeing an explosion in cannabis products since the plant was removed from the list of banned narcotics.

The new laws are intended to make it easier for cannabis fans to use the plant for medicinal or culinary purposes but smoking the drug recreationally is still technically against the law.

Despite some uncertainty surrounding policing of cannabis, recreational use has increased with an array of booming new businesses selling cannabis buds, cookies and beverages.

Some experts have called the decision “immature”. According to Sarana Sommano, an associate professor at Chiang Mai University, the government should have studied the consequences before going ahead with the legalization.

The move to legalize cannabis is intended to boost the economy and help local farmers. In response to concerns from some doctors over the side effects of the psychotropic substances in cannabis, the government is reviewing a draft bill for the use of cannabis and hemp.