Since the Thailand Narcotics Law was amended to decriminalize parts of Cannabis, it is now legal to produce, sell, and consume certain parts of Cannabis for medical and health purposes, as well as for food consumption, and research purposes. Cannabis bark, trunk, fiber, branch, root, leaf without flower, extract containing Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) not exceeding 0.2% or residues after extraction do not exceed 0.2% are no longer considered narcotics. However, these parts of the plant must come from Cannabis grown in Thailand.
Even though cannabis is now legal in Thailand, there are certain limitations in place. Cannabis extracts with more than 0.2% THC is considered to be a narcotic substance. Possessing, selling, and distributing this without a license is a criminal offence.
Possession, use, or smoking of Cannabis with less than 0.2% THC is legal but is only limited to people aged 20 years and above, unless with doctor’s prescription. Pregnant women and breastfeeding women are strictly prohibited from buying and using cannabis products. Moreover, the use of Cannabis for recreational purposes, and smoking in public is still strictly prohibited and punishable by fine and imprisonment.
The law prohibits the production and exportation of Cannabis to foreigners or foreign-owned companies. However, the Cannabis and CBD market are open to foreigners through incorporating a Thai Limited Company. In order to obtain licenses to produce, sell, and import cannabis, 51% of the company shares, and at least two-thirds of the company capital and directorship must be owned by Thai nationals.
Those who are looking at starting a cannabis business in Thailand must strictly abide by the Cannabis regulations. Various licenses will be required for producing extracts, growing, selling, importing, and exporting cannabis. Failure to secure the appropriate license will be punishable by fine and imprisonment.
Use of cannabis as an ingredient for selling but must only use the parts allowed by Ministry of Public Health such as hemp seeds, oil from hemp seeds, protein from hemp seeds, trunk, fiber, branch, root, and leaf, without the tip or the flower.
Generic home remedies for home use containing cannabis/hemp ingredients
These products must not contain extracts of more than 0.2% THC. They must have an FDA number, a selling license according to the type of product, and must not contain exaggerated or false claims.
Food Items or Confectionery Products
Food Items or Confectionery Products that contain cannabis food ingredients such as cookies, hemp confectionery, hemp leaf juice, hemp powder 100% must not contain extract of more than 0.2% THC. They must have FDA number, and must not contain exaggerated or false claims.
Products for Planting such as Seeds, Stalks, Shoots, Rhizomes, Branches, Buds, Roots, Tubers, Flowers, Fruits or Seeds for Planting
All of these must have a Selling License from the Department of Agriculture, Plant Varieties Act.
