Future of cannabis sellers in the hot seat in Thailand

New regulations regarding the sale and distribution of marijuana in Thailand could put many weed vendors out of business.

While there are no official figures yet, it is certain that the sale of marijuana and CBD oil has already brought in a lot of money for the country, given the success of these businesses and their proliferation.

Legalization has also been a major draw for some tourists.

Last Friday, the government slightly revised the rules surrounding the sale and use of cannabis.

See: Thailand changes cannabis rules

These changes could lead to the end of street weed vans and home delivery drivers.

Businesses and online stores are also expected to be hit hard by advertising restrictions, particularly regarding the sale of marijuana flowers.

Home growers will have to wait until the New Year to find out how the cannabis law will affect them.

Dr. Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong, director of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, spoke to Thai Rath after the regulation change on November 11.

These are intended to limit freedom of consumption after the drug was removed from the list of narcotics on June 9.

See: Cannabis is no longer an illicit drug in Thailand, but smoking in public places is prohibited.

Thongchai said marijuana flowers, which contain the most THC, are of greatest concern and should not be added to food.

Any additives such as leaves must be clearly stipulated by restaurants.

People have the right to complain and take action in case of inconvenience and smell of ganja products in public places.

If food contains flowers, consumers can sue restaurant and business owners.

Vehicles such as vans selling marijuana are now illegal.

People buy cannabis from a mobile stand on Khao San Road in Bangkok. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb

Places that are registered to sell drugs must have fixed premises, vans are clearly a violation of this rule.

Cafes linked to businesses selling weed are also now banned.

See: Cannabis cafes, the latest tourism trend in Thailand

The public cannot smoke marijuana on the premises and it can only be consumed there for medical purposes, Dr. Thongchai said.

Previously, it was thought that as long as there was no nuisance, everything was fine, but this has apparently changed.

The sale of flowers online is now regulated.

No blatant advertising is allowed, either online or in stores, and it appears that licensed sellers will have their licenses revoked if they do so.

We will see in the coming days how this will affect businesses that sell online.

In total, 5,000 sales licenses were issued.

Much will depend on the possible involvement of the Thai police in what is still a regulation of the Ministry of Public Health.

The cannabis law has still not come into force.

It's during the new year that growers will discover what they can and can't do when it comes to marijuana.

Source: ASEAN Now