Skift Take
Southeast Asia’s biggest changes toward cannabis liberalization continue to unfold in Thailand. Some speculate boom times are ahead for Thailand tourism with medical cannabis now legal. But don't expect ailing patients to flock there for cannabis treatments anytime soon.
When Thailand’s first official full-time clinic specializing in traditional and alternative cannabis-based medicine opened in January, hopes were high that the greater access to legal medical cannabis could open doors for the country's tourism sector to reap the economic benefits of marijuana-inspired travel into Southeast Asia.
In a region where cannabis use continues to be a controversial subject approached with caution, liberalization can be said to be happening with some ferocity in Thailand.
The Thai government in December 2018 approved cannabis for medical use and research, and it has since launched cultivation projects in select laboratories and crops. Thailand more recently announced it will open up the production, import and export, and use of hemp to the private sector.
Moreover, foreign visitors who have existing prescriptions could soon be allowed to bring in 90 days’ worth of their own medical cannabis. To be finalized by February 2021, the proposed new regulation is under review and lawmakers are mulling how patients can declare medical cannabis at immigration, according to Chokwan Kitty Chopaka, founder and CEO of cannabis consultancy Elevated Estate.
New Cash Crop born
While there is apparent political will to promote medical cannabis tourism, the relaxed rules might for now have little to do with international visitors seeking medical-grade cannabis in Thailand.
The government is encouraging Thai growers to supply cannabis to hospitals to
