Cannabis in Thailand

In Thailand, cannabis, known by the name Ganja (Thai: กัญชา; RTGS: kancha) has recently had new laws passed through. Cannabis that has less than 0.2% THC, referred to as industrial hemp in USA, was legalised on 9 June 2022. Medicinal cannabis, with no THC restrictions, was made legal in 2018 but required patients to obtain a prescription from a medical practitioner. Recreational cannabis is still illegal according to Thai law.

Possession, cultivation, distribution, consumption, and sales of all cannabis plant parts are legal, as long as it is operated under the 2 laws. Cannabis extracts and cannabis products (including edibles, food supplements, cosmetics, etc.) containing more than 0.2% THC by dry weight are still categorised as a Category 5 narcotic.

Import and export of cannabis are still highly regulated.

Sales of cannabis plant parts, products, and edibles are prohibited to minors (under 20-years-old), pregnant women, and breastfeeding women. Cannabis smoke is considered a public nuisance and thus prohibited in public areas.

On 8 May 2022, Thailand's health minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced in a Facebook post that the government will distribute one million free cannabis plants to households across the country, starting on the 9 June. The move is said to be a step further into Thailand's plan to use cannabis as a cash crop.