THAILAND relaxed its cannabis laws today, with users permitted to grow and possess the plants – albeit under complicated new guidelines.

The change comes after its landmark legalisation of medicinal cannabis in 2018 – the first such move by a country in Southeast Asia, where anti-drugs laws are notoriously harsh.

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry in February announced that marijuana will be removed from its banned narcotics list, and the rules came into effect today.

Activists welcomed the development and Bangkok cannabis shop Highland Cafe was doing a brisk trade in buds today.

“It is a dream come true,” said co-owner Rattapon Sanrak, 35.

“We have been fighting for it (legalisation) for about 10 years.”

Thailand previously took a tough stance on drugs, with people found with cannabis on them facing up to 10 years in prison and a hefty fine.

But some warned against lighting up outside just yet.

While possession and sale of cannabis are now legal, smoking the substance outside your home could still get you arrested.

Offenders could face up to three months in prison and be fined 25,000 baht (RM3,183).

And cannabis extracts with more than 0.2% concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive compound that produces the drug’s “high” – remain illegal.

Activist Cark K. Linn, author of a popular Thai cannabis newsletter, said the latest change is “effectively and practically, a very radical legalisation of cannabis in Thailand”.

Jeremy Douglas, regional spokesman for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, urged caution, however, saying the legal reforms have “been a bit difficult to track”.

“What we understand from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is that the part of the law governing cannabis has expired while in the review process.

“And until it is final and cleared by parliament, cannabis can be sold.

“So it became legal due to the ongoing process, by default.”

Douglas said the ONCB maintains that the legal THC level will remain at 0.2%.

But outside the Highland Cafe, people were optimistic.

“I think it will take a long way to full legalisation like Canada, like Amsterdam, but I think this is a good step,” said Siravit Taweechan, 27. – AFP, June 9, 2022.