New rules banning recreational cannabis use have put Thailand’s $1bn cannabis industry in limbo, with some stores fearing they will have to close
Along Bangkok’s famous backpacker strip, Khao San Rd, storefronts offer a smorgasbord of highs – cannabis strains promising relaxation, mood enhancement, and energetic or giggly vibes.
Since Thailand legalised cannabis three years ago thousands of such stores have opened across the country, their doorways often topped with bright neon marijuana-leaf signs.
But new government rules imposed in June that re-criminalsed cannabis for recreational use have plunged Thailand’s $1bn cannabis industry into a state of confusion, with shops scrambling to comply with the requirements, and many fearing they will be forced to close.
The new rules make it mandatory for any retail cannabis purchase to require a prescription from a medical professional.
