Thailand to ban recreational cannabis use by 2024 end: A look at countries where it's still legal

Thailand Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said that the country will ban the recreational use of marijuana by 2024 end, but will continue to allow its use for medical purposes. In Southeast Asia, Thailand became the first country to free up marijuana's medicinal use in 2018 and then recreational use in 2022. Since then, tens of thousands of cannabis shops have come up in various parts of the country, while this business is projected to be worth up to $1.2 billion by next year, Reuters reported.

Critics have said that piecemeal rules were rushed out and adopted within a week of decriminalisation, adding that the Thailand government has drafted a new law to regulate cannabis use.

The law is expected to take effect by the end of this year.

Srikaew said that the draft bill will need the cabinet's approval next month before it goes to the parliament for passage.

“Without the law to regulate cannabis it will be misused,” Cholnan told the news agency while referring to its recreational use.

“The misuse of cannabis has a negative impact on Thai children. In the long run, it could lead to other drugs,” he added.

The Thailand minister said that cannabis shops operating illegally in the country will not be allowed to continue anymore, while home-grown cannabis will also be discouraged. At present, there are around 20,000 legally registered shops, he added.

However, there are several countries around the world where recreational use of marijuana is legal. Here are some of them:

Uruguay

In December 2013, Uruguay became the first country around the world to legalise the cultivation, sale, and distribution of recreational cannabis, reports said. The Institute for Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA) holds the responsibility to regulate the planting, cultivation, harvesting, production, processing, and distribution of cannabis around the South American country.

Georgia

Georgia legalised the consumption of marijuana in July 2018. However, the recreational use of marijuana is still limited as large-scale cultivation and sale continue to remain a punishable offence.

Canada

The Justin Trudeau-led government in Canada legalised the recreational use of marijuana under the Federal Cannabis Act in October 2018. However, it continues to be a highly controlled substance and is only sold at government-licenced retailers, reports said.

Mexico

In June 2021, Mexico’s supreme court struck down laws that prohibited the use of recreational marijuana. As per the court, adults who wish to cultivate and consume their own cannabis will be able to apply for permits from the country's health secretariat. However, criminal penalties for possessing more than five grams of marijuana or selling the drug continued to remain in place.

Malta

Malta became the first country in Europe to allow limited cultivation and possession of cannabis for personal use in the year 2021.

Some of the other countries where the recreational use of marijuana is legalised include Luxembourg, Jamaica, Chile, Ecuador, and The Netherlands among others.