Licenses to produce, import, export, dispose or possess cannabis

 “Cannabis” is recognized by many health professionals and the locals in Thailand as a medicinal plant with a high potential for therapeutic use and has a long history in the Thai traditional medicine practice. However, the enactment of the Narcotics Act in 1979 classified cannabis as a type of narcotic plant, and hence, its usage was prohibited by law. 

In 2019, the Thai government began to unlock certain regulations allowing cannabis to be used for health and medical purposes under restrictions. Thailand is the first amongst its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia where the government promotes and legalizes the medical usage of cannabis. The main objectives are for people to safely utilize medical-related cannabis inventions and to reduce illegal cultivation and commercialization of the plant. It is expected to also help boost the Thai economy. Though, this idea stirred a debate within Thailand’s somewhat conservative society. 

While the amended Narcotics Act in 2019 legalized the usage of cannabis and hemp in the medical space and for research and development purposes to a certain extent, both types of plants were listed under category 5 of narcotic substances, meaning, many limitations are still in place. 

The removal of particular parts of cannabis from the controlled narcotic

On December 13, 2020, a Government Gazette was published stating that specific parts of cannabis and extracts were delisted from category 5 of the Narcotics Act. 

These include:

1. Fiber, stalk, stem, root, bark
2. Leaf (without flowers and inflorescence)
3. Extracts with cannabidiol (CBD) as an ingredient with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) not exceeding 0.2% of the weight
4. Residue or waste from cannabis extract with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) not exceeding 0.2% of the weight

Parts and extracts of hemp as well as other derivatives were also released from the controlled list.

Despite this progress and effort by the Health Ministry, the usage of cannabis was not prevalent due to complex legal barriers and the fact that not all parts of the plant can be used or commercialized legally.

Licenses to produce, import, export, dispose or possess cannabis

The Government Gazette’s publication on November 26, 2021, declared the regulation on requesting for the license to produce, import, export, dispose or possess narcotic substance category 5, particularly “cannabis”. 

Those eligible to request for the grant of license according to the ministerial regulation are as follow:

1. In case an applicant is an individual, the applicant must:
   1. Hold a Thai citizenship
   2. Not be less than 20 years of age
   3. Have a resident in Thailand
   4. Not be a person of unsound mind, incompetent or quasi-incompetent
   5. Not be bankrupt
   6. Not be a person whose license issued under the narcotic law, or the psychotropic substances law is being suspended or revoked
   7. Not be sentenced by final judgment as being guilty of an offense under narcotic law, psychotropic substances law, prevention of volatile substance abuse law, or the law on measures for the suppression of offenders in an offense related to narcotics
2. In case an applicant is a juristic person, the applicant must:
   1. Be registered under Thai law
   2. Possess the qualifications under 1) f. and g.
   3. Have a representative or a person with authority to act on behalf of the juristic person with qualifications under 1)
   4. Directors, shareholders, or at least two-thirds of the shareholders must be persons of Thai nationality
   5. Have an office in Thailand

3. In case an applicant is a community enterprise that is not a juristic person, the representative authorized to undertake the activities must possess qualifications under 1.
4. In case an applicant is a state agency, the agency’s objectives must be related to the production, import, export, disposition, or possession of cannabis according to its missions stated in this ministerial regulation. 

This implies that foreigners are not yet allowed to produce, import, export, dispose or possess cannabis in Thailand. In line with the amended Narcotics Act published in 2019, only Thai citizens or juristic persons under Thai law will be able to participate in these activities for the first 5 years after the enforcement of the Act in February 2019. 

The complete legalization of cannabis in 2022

On December 11, 2021, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced in the launching event of cannabis model city in Nakorn Phanom province that ‘all parts’ of the cannabis are no longer listed under narcotic substance based on the new Narcotics Code, effective December 9, 2021.

Anutin addressed the Health Ministry’s policy to promote the use of medicinal herbs consisting of cannabis, hemp, and Kratom by appointing the Department of Thai Traditional and Complementary Medicine to invent new policies to increase cannabis product value and create more jobs for people growing the herb and more income for manufacturers. This will allow Thai people better access to the products with more options to receive medical treatment. The push for this policy paved the way for hospitals and clinics all over the country to offer complimentary treatments using cannabis. In the meantime, the Health Ministry is researching and innovating new health-related products by making use of these medicinal herbs that will help improve the health of Thai people. 

The Health Ministry has been urging related parties to legally facilitate the usage and commercialization of cannabis and hemp by removing the herbs from category 5 of controlled narcotics. This implies that all parts of cannabis including root, stem, stalk, leaf, flower bud, inflorescence, and seeds will no longer be listed as narcotic substances. Only cannabis extract with THC over 0.2% will remain on the list. In addition, the process to request a license to grow the plant will be simplified which will benefit farmers or community enterprises who are interested in this business to generate more income. 

As for the next step, the Health Ministry will officially announce the new list of controlled narcotics and other related regulations. As a result, products made of cannabis oil or extracts, such as soap, cosmetics, and supplements with THC lower than 0.2% can be used at will.

The cannabis regulation in Thailand has come a long way, but it is still evolving with new measures to be declared and specifics to be clarified. For those interested in entering Thailand’s cannabis business scene, it is recommended to keep abreast with new developments and seek legal advice for professional guidance through the complexities of the regulation. 

THAILAND CANNABIS AND LICENSCES

Today, we are discussing cannabis again; specifically developments with respect to the new medical cannabis, medical marijuana regime that is being brought into effect here in the Kingdom.

There has been a lot of discussion on medical marijuana, medical cannabis and hemp. This specific video is discussing hemp specifically and when we say hemp we are talking about the industrial cannabis by-products that come from hemp; not marijuana in the sense of the kind that is smoked, the kind that contains THC, the medicinal kind of hemp, cannabis and marijuana. This is specifically industrial hemp we are discussing.

There was a recent article from Khaosod English, that is khaosodenglish.com, titled:  Weed Laws: Cannabis License and Foreigners Growing Hemp.  It is written by Wirot Poonsuwan, Attorney at Law, so a Thai Attorney on this. I am going to quote very briefly from this and provide a little bit of analysis of my own.  Quoting directly: "Hemp - Lastly, it would be remiss to mention these remarkable changes without discussing hemp, a plant that could help revitalize the Thai economy.  A little known fact is that foreigners can grow hemp by 2021.  According to the law, companies where foreigners control no larger than 33% of shares will be allowed to grow hemp for commercial medicinal purposes in 2021 after the 3 year government trial projects in Northern provinces end in 2020.” 

So the thing to take away from this video is "yes, foreigners may be able to get into the industrial hemp business". It is my understanding hemp is quite a cash crop especially with respect to things like paper, rope, various kinds of fiber; various clothing is made from hemp. It is quite a resilient material and it can be, like I said, quite a cash crop. It would appear that starting in 2021, at least according to this attorney who is writing this article, and again I urge those who are watching this video go check out that article.  There is a far more than what I quoted in there. I am specifically talking about this from one specific vantage point. 

But this is interesting to me because in the United States it is my understanding that most of the initiatives to get cannabis and marijuana legalized for medicinal purposes and recreational purposes there hasn't quite been the same drive with respect to industrial hemp.  I suspect there are various reasons for that most notably there is a much more sophisticated and grownup industrial sector that may be lobbying against hemp whereas here in Thailand, I think that there is much more support for bringing hemp online as a possible cash crop especially in certain provinces of Thailand.  I would even maybe argue that industrial hemp or hemp production may actually turn out to be much more of a driving force economically with respect to the development of marijuana and cannabis policy here in the Kingdom moving forward when compared to the more medicinal or recreational aspects of this particular product. My reasoning for that is because they could in theory grow a lot of it and it is very useful as an industrial product. 

Again all of this remains to be seen. It remains relatively pure speculation but I suspect that so long as the hemp is grown in accordance with the Narcotics Control Board and is not being used as a way by subterfuge to get involved with the different kinds of marijuana products, it is simply for industry, I could see this being a major shift with respect to the Thai economy and how it deals not only with agribusiness but also it could it could have a tremendous impact on the industrial sector here as hemp can be used for all kinds of things which currently I believe Thailand hasn't even gotten into any of these businesses or at least some of them.  

So it remains to be seen exactly how this is going to work out but we will make further videos as things progress.

There have been recent changes with respect to the rules pertaining to marijuana/cannabis in the Kingdom of Thailand and they came into effect with a Royal Decree which came out within about six weeks of making this video and that radically changed the landscape with respect to the way marijuana and marijuana products are treated here in the Kingdom.

That being stated, as part of that Act, there was a subsection with respect to a general amnesty for those who had previously been using cannabis products for medical purposes, and quoting directly from the Bangkok Post, that is bangkokpost.com, the headline FDA Sets Weed Report Deadline. Quoting directly, "Individuals and organizations who possess marijuana for medical purposes must notify the Food and Drug Administration before May 19th or face arrest. Those who use marijuana for medical purposes will not be punished for drug possession if they notify authorities to avoid prosecution. The FDA Secretary-general Tares Krassanairawiwong said on Monday.

That being stated, this is very important. As noted May 19th is the drop dead date with respect to that and failure to notify can result in subsequent criminal prosecution. I think it is probably a good idea for any foreigners watching this video to contact a Thai Attorney before disclosing anything to the Government as I don't know what the ramifications specifically would be for foreigners in the Kingdom in possession of marijuana. Yes, they might be covered under this amnesty but it could have Thai Immigration implications etc. and for that reason those who are watching this who are not of Thai nationality, it is probably going to need to seek some legal advice before undertaking anything that pertains to this amnesty.

That being stated, it does appear that Thailand is making strides forward with respect to the medical marijuana issue and we will keep you posted on this channel as things progress and as the enforcement apparatus evolves with respect to the marijuana and cannabis industry.

A recent article from Khaosod English, that is khaosodenglish.com and that article was written by Wirot Poonsuwan who is a Thai Attorney at Law and I want to note that specifically again. This is a very long article. We are going to quote very, very little from it but I wanted to make this as a follow-up because we did some videos previously on cannabis in Thailand where we were making some speculations if you will with respect to how this was going to actually play out; how it was going to operate as a practical matter. Now that more of the regulatory structure has been firmed up, we have got a better idea of how things are going to be. 

In a prior video on this channel, I was talking about this subject in the context of private companies being able to get into this business. It appears to me at least for the near term that is probably not likely and that in fact we are going to see this is going to be more in the context of medical marijuana, medical cannabis, and so really this whole notion of having these stores and things, like you would for instance see in a jurisdiction like Colorado in the United States, that paradigm doesn't so much apply to the Thai system as it is coming into view and again we are still dealing with the early stages of this. I urge those who are watching this video to read this article. There is a lot more than what we are discussing in this video. Again, Khaosod English: Weed Laws, Cannabis License and Foreigners Growing Hemp. Quoting directly:  "Acquiring a license: it is a widely-held myth to fathom that the passing of the DMS, that's the Department of Medical Services, training course will instantly certify a doctor to dole out medical marijuana. In fact, the compulsory course is merely one pre-qualification to enable the doctor to apply for a cannabis sale license from the FDA. Only upon receipt of the FDA license will the doctor qualify to dispense marijuana formulas. Once the doctor has obtained a sales license, there is no need for them to obtain the other four types of FDA cannabis licenses: manufacturing, import, export and possession."  And it notes in here: manufacturings for factories, imports for companies or government agencies, exports for companies and government agencies; possession is for researchers.  Quoting further: "Patients do not need a possession license as they will be given cannabis medication by doctors and pharmacists who received cannabis sales licenses from the FDA."  Now, I am curious as to how that is going to work as a practical matter; just to make a comment here because I would presume then that cannabis and cannabis products that are prescribed in a medical capacity would have the prescription attached to them. For example when you have prescription drugs for an ailment of any kind, there is usually a label, the prescribing doctor and directions for use. I guess I would presume that the cannabis, or the Cannabis products, would have that same kind of labeling that would show that it was issued in a valid manner. It is difficult to speculate on that as we haven't seen it yet. It is my understanding, in for example California medical marijuana regime, patients have to actually have a card that shows that they have gone through the prescription process, the diagnosis process from a doctor and are receiving treatment for medical marijuana and that card shows all that. Apparently, that is not going to be part and parcel of this system; it's simply going to be I would presume labeled on the Cannabis that is given out by the doctor or pharmacist in question. Quoting further: "Practitioners trained in DMS cannabis cannot apply for a FDA marijuana sales license yet. The holdup is a lack of implementing FDA ordinance to announce a lawful list of cannabis medicines which should be issued in a month or two."

So again, a very interesting article. Again Weed Laws, Cannabis License and Foreigners Growing Hemp. I urge those to read that article in full because it has got a lot more nuances than what I have just quoted. My analysis of this for those who are watching, I think we are going to see this rolled out fairly soon. For those who think this is going to be some great license to smoke a lot of marijuana, I am not certain that is what is going to happen here. Clearly the FDA is serious about rolling out regulations on this. Another major issue with respect to this is there is not going to be a huge number of doctors who are actually going to have this licensing. As this attorney noted in this article, there have only been a few classes for the qualification thus far. Not everyone who took the classes passed the exam and the classes filled up quite quickly and there is not in the future going to be a great number of these. So the doctors who are going to have the authority to dispense medicinal cannabis, medicinal marijuana, remain to be seen. None of them have licenses yet but I think that once the licenses are in fact issued, we are going to see a relatively small number of those folks who can actually dispense marijuana and cannabis medications.

Marijuana & Cannabis Clinics in Thailand

Monday 11th May 2019 marked the opening of Thailand’s first two full-time clinics dispensing cannabis oil for medical treatment. The step reflects the government’s intent to promote licensed use of marijuana products to relieve the symptoms of a range of ailments.

A cannabis flagship clinic under the management of Public Health Management handed over free cannabis oil to almost 400 patients in a suburb of Bangkok.

Eyeing the economic potential of cannabis, Thailand’s old harsh anti-drug laws are given way to new laws that permit to consume cannabis to treat medical conditions.

The Thai government seems all set to realize the economic potential of the cannabis. According to one estimate, Asia’s medical cannabis market is going to swell to US $5.8 billion by 2024.

These two full-time clinics are on the top of around 25 clinics already operating on part-time basis since the approval of new law that allows to use and production of medical cannabis.

As a part of the planned nationwide network of marijuana clinics, two more clinics would start working if the results are promising. With more clinics in greater Bangkok, the government has promised it would allow patients to make appointments using a specialized smartphone app. The policy of marijuana liberalization is likely to benefit all those who before were using expensive illegal marijuana from underground suppliers.

Legalization has made it possible for patients with different health conditions to get easy access to medical marijuana through cannabis clinics. By lessening their symptoms, medical marijuana can play an important role in improving their quality of life.




Approved medical conditions

With governments plans to strongly regulate cannabis consumption and promote licensed marijuana, it has stipulated a formal procedure that enables patients to access medical marijuana. First, it is important to know that there are certain conditions for which patients can seek medical marijuana. Following is the list of approved medical conditions for which patients can get medical marijuana.Addiction withdrawal symptoms
Allergies
Alzheimer’s disease
Anorexia
Bedsores
Bone fractures
Bronchitis
Cancer
Cerebral palsy (children)
Chemotherapy
Cirrhosis of liver
Concussion
Crohn’s disease
Demyelinating disease
Diabetes
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Hemorrhoids
HIV/AIDS
Hydrocephalus
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Inflammation
Lupus
Lymphoma
Migraine
Menstrual cramp
Obesity
ODC/ADHD
Opiate addiction
Pain
Paralysis
Parkinson’s disease
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Reaction stress
Rheumatism
Schizophrenia
Stroke
Tourette’s syndrome
Prescription of medical cannabis

Since medical marijuana’s legalization, the Thai government is collaborating with the ministry of health to ensure that all the distribution of the drug goes through the licensed hospitals and cannabis clinics.

By promoting medical marijuana to help address several health ailments, the government also seems concerned about the potential abuse of the drug. The restricted liberalization policy of the Thai government is based on the conviction that the drug should only be used to seek relief, not pleasure. Particularly, the population under the age of 18, who are the most vulnerable age group to potentially abuse the drug.

As a part of the drug control to prevent its potential abuse, the government specified that patients could get and carry on person medical marijuana only on the prescription of a medical practitioner.

Any consumption in violation of national laws carries both jail as well as financial penalties. So, it is important to get a prescription from a registered medical practitioner before making the consumption of the drug.






Approved medical clinics in Thailand

Since the country rolled out its first legislation to legalize medical marijuana in 2018, Thai hospitals and universities are collaborating to produce FDA approved medical cannabis products. Such products can be obtained both from government hospitals and registered clinics.

Following this policy, first 10,000 medical cannabis oil bottles are distributed in August 2019 among patients with a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. The nations heavily regulated medical cannabis law is very tough on improper or recreational use of cannabis stipulating a jail penalty for up to five years.

Reports have emerged suggesting some clinics are involved in selling CBD to people looking for THC. These clinics claim to prescribe and distribute THC infused medical marijuana. Contrary to their claims, their products are hemp-derived CBD oil that contains just traces of THC.

THC and CBD are the two most commonly known compounds of the cannabis plant. Both are used for treating varying medical conditions and they leave a different impact on mind and body. Unlike CBD, THC is a psychoactive compound that creates feelings of high sensation.

Due to harsh laws governing medical marijuana, experts advise people to make consumption of both cannabinoids with caution. Patients should only use and possess two substances when they have a valid medical prescription from a doctor who is fully licensed by the FDA.

Approved hospitals that can prescribe medical cannabis

FDA has authorized all hospital operating under the cover of Public Health Ministry to prescribe medical cannabis to people with approved medical conditions.

The larger demand currently overwhelming the medical marijuana supply coming from Government Pharmaceutical Organizations, partner hospitals, and universities. With improved supply in the coming days, it is expected that more clinics and hospitals would start prescribing medical cannabis.

Possession of marijuana

Last year, Food and Drug Administration rolled out an amnesty program allowing people – Thais and expats alike – to legalize their stash provided they have an approved use for it. Under the new law, people using medical cannabis for approved uses can legalize it by producing a medical certificate verifying their eligible condition from a certified doctor, dentist, or Thai traditional medicine practitioner.
Required documents

Following a formal procedure, they can get registered with the FDA. According to the law, both nationals and foreigners need to prepare their documents that include the following.Identification documents (ID card or passport)
Medical certificates
Duly filled application form

Your Cannabis stock

Applicants must bring marijuana they have been using along with their application. If the stock is too large to move, then you need to bring its photos, and FDA will send their inspector at a pre-decided date to examine your stock.

Under the amnesty law, patients are allowed to keep the stock which deemed sufficient for 90 days of consumption.

If anyone is unable to come in person can authorize a representative on the form who can make the application and appear on the original applicant’s behalf.
Visit the Thai FDA office

With all the above-mentioned items, applicants need to visit the Food and Drug Administration’s central office in Bangkok. People living outside the capital can visit the provincial health office for the purpose.
Tourists

Tourists entering the country must ensure can have medical marijuana in a form approved by the ministry of health. Ignoring the regulations might result in their stash is confiscated while entering the country.

Officials advise tourists to carry their medical prescription certificates with them to show to custom officers. Later, they are required to get it approved by the FDA to avoid persecution or get their seized stock back.

After duly filling a form declaring the amount of marijuana in their possession, the tourists can visit FDA or public health office. There they need to preset their passport along with air tickets as proof of traveling, copy of their medical prescription and prescribing doctor’s license.

To the hassle of tourists, none of these forms are in English. However, foreigners can get information from two dedicated medical cannabis phone lines.

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.


About Cannabis for Thailand


Cannabis for Thailand is a free, independent digital resource for patients seeking accurate information about medical cannabis in Thailand. Our website covers hospitals & clinics, which are safe and meet the highest medical standards. We include all the information you need regarding cannabis in one central place. Our mission is to match patients with the best medical professionals for their specific conditions.

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Cannabis Law in Thailand: A Guide to Growing & Smoking Marijuana

Thailand's Marijuana laws have evolved dramatically in recent times. What was once considered an illegal drug, unsafe for society, is now legal, mostly.

Thailand approved the decriminalization of cannabis, agreeing that the Health Ministry drop cannabis from its list of controlled drugs.

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed an announcement removing the drug from Category 5 of the country’s list of narcotics, which is now in effect.

Previously regulated under the Narcotics Act, cannabis, or ganja  (กัญชา – kancha), as it is known in Thailand, can be grown and sold and consumed.

There's still some uncertainty surrounding public use and how much can be grown. But from the buzz seen around the nation, it seems that cannabis is now fully open for personal and commercial use.

To help clarify some of the finer print, here's the answers to a number of common questions.

Is Marijuana Legal in Thailand?

Yes, but with some regulation.

It is legal to grow cannabis, but to do so you need permission.

Home growers must first tell the government via a website or smartphone app. Thus far, nearly 750,000 applications have been received from key growers.

Industrial and commercial marijuana growers must obtain a license from the Food and Drug Authority.

Cannabis can be used by restaurants. But the leaves and roots used in cooking must be supplied by FDA certified producers and the THC level must be less than 0.2%

You can also buy cookies and teas and other snacks in some stores, all infused with the sacred plant.

However, the over-arching rule in the consumption of cannabis is that the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) content must be less than 0.2%.

THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces the feeling of being “stoned”.

This means that the products aren't very strong, and certainly not on a par with a hash brownie from an Amsterdam cafe.

That said, people don't appear to be sticking to that rule, and this is where the confusion lies. For example, the Highland Café in Bangkok is already selling buds over the counter, which look pretty potent to me!

Can I Smoke Cannabis in Thailand?

Yes, but smoking in public can still be considered a public nuisance, so it's important to remember this if Somchai offers you a joint at a party.

Those caught smoking in public being a “nuisance” can be subject to fines of up to 25,000 baht ($723) and prison terms of up to three months.

This seems a little contradictory, though, considering Thailand just released 3,000 prisoners previously convicted of cannabis offenses, and is set to release more.

Despite politicians claiming there are these restrictions,  it appears there will be no effort to police what people can grow and smoke at home, aside from registering with the government and declaring it is for medical purposes.

If Marijuana is Not Illegal, How Can You Be Arrested for Smoking?

Good question, and this is currently unclear. Those who are familiar with the visa system in Thailand will know that this is how things work here.

When a new law is introduced it takes a while to iron out all of the areas overlooked in the development process and clarify what's allowed and what isn't, and why!

My advice, as a foreign national, is to let Thai people pave the way first. Sit back for a few months and wait for things to become clearer. Smoke at home, indoors for now.

What's the Punishment if You're Caught Smoking or Growing Without Permission?

As far as I know the following legal guidelines still apply, but whether they will be amended or enforced is unclear at this point.

• Production, importation or exportation: 2-15 years imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 – 1,500,000 Baht
• Disposal or possession for the purpose of disposal: 2-10 years imprisonment or a fine of 40,000 – 200,000 Baht or both
• Quantity over 10 kilograms: Penalty is increased to a maximum of 15 years and a fine of 200,000 – 1,500,000 Baht
• Possession: Imprisonment not exceeding 5 years and or a fine not exceeding 100,000 Baht or both
• Consumption: Imprisonment not exceeding 1 year and a fine of 100,000 – 1,000,000

Can I Get Prescription Cannabis in Thailand?

Yes. But note that the strength of medical cannabis in Thailand may be much weaker than you are used to back home in California or Amsterdam.

This has been one of the major complaints from those suffering with long-term illness who have historically relied on a blackmarket supply.

Users have been so disappointed with the strength of medical cannabis that many have returned to the blackmarket to get a more potent supply.

This was recently highlighted in a Vice documentary (see below).

Is There Going to Be a Cannabis Sandbox?

This has been proposed but just how seriously is not clear.

Supposedly there will be an area of Thailand designated to ganja enthusiasts.

You'll be able to spend your holiday smoking, eating, and drinking cannabis-based products until your heart's content. Whether you'll actually get stoned or not is a different matter, because all the product will need to be under 0.2% THC.

It would certainly be a novelty feeling, but I doubt it will rival the cafes of Amsterdam. I don't think it will happen, certainly not this year anyway.

In Summary

Thailand is the most progressive country in the region when it comes to cannabis growth and consumption, but you might want to wait a while before you walk down the street with a big doobie hanging out your mouth and smile at the local bobby.

Do expect to see cafes popping up, and pretty much every dish being advertised with cannabis as a special ingredient.

Will the 0.2% THC be policed? I doubt it. It would waste a lot of police time. Though it could be a good tea-money maker for the BIB.

Most travelers will just do what they've always done: pop along to one of the bars on Phi Phi or Koh Phangan and pick up a sealer bag of the good stuff and smoke away, while the bar pays the local police to turn a blind eye.