National —
Mr. Panthep Puaphongphan, Spokesperson for the Health Ministry’s Public Relations on Cannabis, stated on Facebook today, June 18th, that the sale of cannabis to minors under the age of 20, breastfeeding women, and pregnant women must be granted permission from the Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
He clarified that cannabis is initially classified as a “controlled herb” in the 1999 Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act. Therefore, the possession of cannabis, usage, storage, transportation, export, research, and sale, must be approved prematurely to proceed with the act.
However, to prevent a hassle while waiting for the changing of the law, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed a directive to enable citizens over 20 years of age to use, store, transport, and sell cannabis imediately without having to obtain permission, according to Mr. Panthep.
Yet, he went on that the new order does not exempt public smoking and the sale of cannabis to minors aged below 20, breastfeeding women, and pregnant women. Those who wish to do so must first obtain permission, according to the old law.
Lastly, Mr. Panthep warned that potential violators could face up to one-year imprisonment, a fine of no more than 20,000 baht, or both.
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