Between regulation and market, Thailand consolidates cannabis as a strategic product

In Thailand, the use of cannabis has gained an almost daily dimension: it is possible to find dispensaries on the streets of Bangkok, cannabis cafes, clubs, as well as a solid presence of the plant in the wellness and agriculture industry. 

According to a report by CannaReporter, cannabis flowers are treated as a “natural product” and are not considered narcotics, which facilitates their circulation.

Access to the plant has become exceptionally simple: dispensaries have doctors to prescribe on the spot, even for conditions like anxiety or insomnia; menus detail the effects of different strains; and there are spaces for local consumption. 

Furthermore, Thailand strategically invests in cannabis as an economic driver. The country invests not only in cultivation for medicinal purposes but also in hemp for fibers, construction, textiles, wellness, and health tourism. 

Politics, regulation, and future outlook

During the AIHEF - Asia International Hemp Expo & Forum, held in Bangkok, authorities and entrepreneurs presented Thailand's plans to consolidate the cannabis sector as a central part of the national economy. 

According to the government, hemp and cannabis are seen as strategic “economic plants,” with the goal of transforming the country into the hub of Asia for the hemp industry by 2030. 

To achieve this, the country is betting on three strategies: adopting international standards (such as GMP and ISO), developing high-value-added products (such as extracts, fibers, and biocomposites), and attracting foreign investment for the entire production chain. 

However, there are challenges. The sector suffers from a lack of technical education: many professionals, both in the industry and in healthcare, do not have specific training on cultivation, extracts, or medicinal use. 

Additionally, the government plans to introduce a new bill in the coming months to regulate adult use of cannabis, emphasizing that, although recreational consumption exists in practice, it needs to be controlled. 

Finally, Thailand also seeks to integrate traditional medicine with modern medicine: the Department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) is working to standardize CBD and THC extracts following international standards, while developing networks of certified medical dispensaries.
 

With information from CannaReporter.