Cannabis Clinics in Phuket
Phuket being one of the most celebrated tourist hubs in Thailand, every year draws thousands of tourists from around the world. Exotic beaches, captivating nightlife, delicious food, and abundant sunshine make Phuket tourists’ dream destination.
Many trips advising websites promote Phuket a palace where tourism and cannabis go side by side. Going beyond such assertions, these trip portals suggest places with estimates of price where tourists can get cannabis.
Not sure if there is any modicum of truth in such statements. For travelers who intend to visit that tourism hotspot, it is advised to follow local rules to enjoy your trip to the maximum without falling into avoidable controversies.
Thailand with a history of strict anti-drug laws is amending the country’s harsh cannabis-related laws to capitalize on the economic and therapeutic advantages of marijuana. The limited cannabis liberalization in the far east nation is overshadowed by heavy regulations intend to prevent the misuse of the plant.
In other words, foreigners and tourists can get cannabis in Thailand legally but like locals, they have to follow a formal marijuana acquisition process.
Local laws to get cannabis in Phuket
Just like any other part of Thailand, Phuket’s residents and foreigners alike need to fulfill the requirements mentioned in the laws governing cannabis possession and consumption in the country.
The Government’s laws are meant to promote cannabis as a medical remedy while it can not be used for recreational and pleasure-seeking purposes.
Local laws to get cannabis in Phuket
Just like any other part of Thailand, Phuket’s residents and foreigners alike need to fulfill the requirements mentioned in the laws governing cannabis possession and consumption in the country.
The Government’s laws are meant to promote cannabis as a medical remedy while it can not be used for recreational and pleasure-seeking purposes.
In case, you are looking for recreational marijuana in Phuket, the Thai laws don’t permit it. Whether you are Thai national living in Phuket or a tourist came to have some memorable time here, you can only eligible to acquire legal marijuana if you are suffering from a health condition that falls into the list of approved medical conditions.
The approved medical conditions enlist several conditions that the Thai government believes can be treated by using medical marijuana. You need a certificate from a qualified physician that verifies your health condition.
Patients with certified health conditions can get medical cannabis from designated cannabis clinics or government-specified hospitals.
Tourists entering the country with cannabis stash need to declare it to the customs authorities. There is a stock declaration form for tourists, they are required to list the amount of marijuana in their possession. Later, by visiting an FDA or public health office they can get their stock back by presenting the following documents. Passport
Air tickets (as proof of traveling)
Copy of medical prescription
Prescribing doctor’s license
Getting marijuana approval can be a bit hectic and complex. However, there are dedicated medical cannabis lines that foreigners can use to get their required information.
The visitors can get information in English by dialing 1556, Ext. 3 from an FDA operated helpline. Another run by the Narcotics Control Board can be reached at 1386, Ext. 3 during regular government office working hours.
Violation of cannabis laws
We strongly discourage pursuing cannabis from illegal channels as advocated by some of the websites. Despite the country’s gradual progress to legalize marijuana, strict laws are in place to deal with unauthorized possession and consumption of cannabis.
Violators may have to serve a jail term of one-year or pay a financial penalty worth of 20,000 baht (USD $ 600). Since laws don’t discriminate on the basis of violators’ nationalities, it means being a foreigner would not help you to escape the law in case of a violation. There are several cases of foreigners ending up in jail for illegally possessing cannabis in Phuket.
Laws in transition
Cannabis laws are in transition, and the government is making amendments deemed suitable. In one development, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said hospitals under his ministry start prescribing medicines with cannabis extracts within three weeks.
“While the drugs are in production now, I have asked that laws be amended to accommodate this move. Within 2-3 weeks, hospitals under the ministry will be allowed to prescribe drugs containing cannabis extract. Assuming good results from treatment, the policy on cannabis then will move on to the next step,” he said as reported by The Phuket News.
In days to come, it is expected that regulations governing cannabis consumption would be amended and it would improve the availability of the drug as well as the acquisition process simple and straightforward. With such changes, cannabis can be acquired in Phuket with greater ease and less bureaucratic hassles
