Thailand was 1st in Asia to decriminalise marijuana, it is preparing to do a U-turn

BANGKOK: Thailand will re-list cannabis as a narcotic by year-end, its PM said Tuesday, in a stunning U-turn just two years after becoming one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise its recreational use.

The moves comes despite rapid growth of a domestic retail sector for marijuana with the industry projected to be worth up to $1.2 billion by 2025.

"I want health ministry to amend the rules and re-list cannabis as a narcotic," PM Srettha Thavisin said on X. "The ministry should quickly issue a rule to allow its usage for health and medical purposes only." It was not immediately clear when cannabis will be re-listed as a narcotic or what processes must first take place.

Cannabis was decriminalised for medical use in 2018 and recreational use in 2022 under a previous govt, but critics say its liberalisation was rushed through, causing huge confusion about regulations.

Srettha's comments followed a meeting with agencies involved in narcotics suppression, where he vowed to take a tough stand on illicit drugs and sought "clear progress" in the next 90 days. He also asked authorities to redefine what constitutes drug possession under the law, from "small amount" to "one pill", to to enable tougher enforcement.