Residents of Thailand have something to be excited about, at least those who are cannabis enthusiasts.
The country’s public health minister says the government will distribute 1 million of the plants free when most legal restrictions on production and possession of the drug are lifted next month.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who spearheaded the country’s drive to decriminalize cannabis, had signed a measure in February officially dropping cannabis from a list of controlled drugs.
Closely regulated use of cannabis was legalized in 2018, with several restrictions gradually eased since then.
Officials in Thailand are hoping that the cannabis industry would generate hundreds of millions of dollars directly each year and attract foreign tourists, who have only recently begun returning in large numbers after being largely absent during the coronavirus pandemic.
When the measure becomes effective on June 9, possessing and using all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds, will be allowed.
Extracted content will remain illegal if it contains more than 0.2% of the psychoactive ingredient that produces a “high” — tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
