Thailand Becomes First Country to Approve Medical Marijuana in South East Asia

Thailand became the first country in South East Asia to permit the licensed medical use of marijuana. The neighbouring country Malaysia will follow its footsteps soon. Recently, the government of New Zealand also liberalized the medical use of marijuana by enforcing a new law.

Thailand’s legislature consented to amend the country’s drug law and legalize the medical use of marijuana and kratom, an indigenous plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller. In the National Legislative Assembly, the legislation passed its final reading by a vote of 166-0 with 13 abstentions. In essence, the production, import, export, possession of marijuana and kratom products were legalized.

However, any recreational use of the drugs will attract prison terms and fines corresponding to the quantities involved.

Medical marijuana could be legalized in Thailand as soon as January 2019 pic.twitter.com/MRTjkj6RKa

— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) December 25, 2018