#Cannabis

Thailand is poised to tighten its cannabis regulations with a plan that could require both Thai citizens and visitors to hold a doctor’s certificate to buy cannabis. The proposal, shared at a Bangkok press briefing by the Public Health Minister, signals a significant shift from Thailand’s 2022 decriminalisation. The move comes just three years after the landmark decision that put the country at the forefront of Asia’s cannabis reforms.

Data from government health authorities shows the cannabis market expanded rapidly after decriminalisation, with shops opening across major cities and tourist hubs. While the policy initially spurred agricultural growth and tourism, gaps in regulations sparked concerns about addiction, underage use, and Thailand’s international image as a “weed tourism” destination. Officials emphasise that the new rule aims to curb recreational use and ensure medical access remains the priority.

Thailand is poised to tighten cannabis regulations after a surge in cases of foreign tourists attempting to smuggle the drug out of the country. The move follows the 2022 decriminalisation of cannabis, which spurred a local boom in tourism and entrepreneurship but also sparked public concern and international scrutiny.

In 2022, Thailand became Asia’s first country to remove cannabis from its narcotics list. The policy was pitched as an economic driver for farmers and the tourism sector. Dispensaries proliferated and the relaxed stance drew cannabis-curious visitors from around the world. Yet the absence of comprehensive rules left gaps that critics say enabled underage use, addiction risks, and now large-scale smuggling.

A wave of new research is prompting Thai psychiatrists and families to reconsider long-held beliefs about psychosis. Scientists are refining how we distinguish substance-induced psychosis from primary psychotic disorders, with implications for diagnosis, treatment, and hope for patients across Thailand.

Psychosis, a condition marked by a break from reality through hallucinations or delusions, has traditionally been split into two categories: primary psychosis, intrinsic to a psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, and substance-induced psychosis, triggered by drugs or alcohol. Clear differentiation matters for care decisions, but until now gaps in understanding have complicated clinical judgments and family planning.

A wave of fresh research is prompting Thai psychiatrists and families to reconsider long-held assumptions about psychosis, as scientists explore the crucial differences between substance-induced and primary psychotic disorders. This emerging body of evidence, highlighted in a recent Medscape report, could help guide better diagnosis, tailored treatment, and more hopeful outcomes for patients across Thailand.

Psychosis, a condition marked by a loss of contact with reality—often via hallucinations or delusions—has long been categorized into those primarily caused by a psychiatric illness, like schizophrenia, and others triggered by substance use, such as methamphetamine (“ya ba”) or cannabis. Understanding whether symptoms are “primary” (intrinsic to psychiatric illness) or “substance-induced” (caused by drug or alcohol use) shapes every aspect of medical care, but until now, the true distinctions have often been blurred, fueling debates among clinicians and researchers worldwide.

A recent large-scale study suggests that heavy cannabis use leading to emergency medical care is linked to a higher chance of developing dementia within five years. In Canadians studied, about 5% of those treated in emergency departments for cannabis-related issues were diagnosed with dementia within five years, rising to 19% within ten years. The researchers say the association remains after accounting for overall health and other conditions.

This research arrives as Thailand continues refining its cannabis regulations. After decriminalization, policymakers face questions about how to balance potential medical benefits with public health risks, especially among youth and the elderly. The study’s publication in JAMA Neurology adds a sober perspective to ongoing debates about cannabis in Thai society.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that individuals who use cannabis heavily enough to require emergency hospital care are at a significantly elevated risk of developing dementia within five years, sparking debate among health experts and the public at large, including in Thailand. According to the research, which involved more than six million Canadians, nearly 5% of those admitted to emergency departments or hospitals due to cannabis-related issues were diagnosed with dementia within five years. Alarmingly, this figure rose to 19% within ten years after such incidents, highlighting a concerning new link between cannabis use and long-term brain health (Local 12, The New York Times, CNN, JAMA Neurology).

A growing body of research suggests cannabis users sometimes pair marijuana with exercise to boost motivation, enjoyment, and even the sensation of a “runner’s high.” This challenges the stereotype that cannabis leads to inactivity and points to a more nuanced relationship between cannabis and physical activity.

In Thailand, where cannabis policy remains in flux and health awareness is rising, experts emphasize careful interpretation. For some individuals, cannabis may reduce exercise-related pain, lessen anxiety about exercising in public, and heighten the pleasure of movement. But these effects are not universal, and responsible use is essential.

A growing wave of fitness enthusiasts is reshaping stereotypes about cannabis and exercise. Evidence and firsthand accounts suggest cannabis can make workouts more enjoyable, helping people stay motivated and perhaps even experience a version of the “runner’s high.” In interviews with media and researchers, individuals like Mark, a father in his 40s, describe using cannabis products such as vape pens or edibles to make training more engaging. Mark says while he could complete a marathon without cannabis, the training might have felt more daunting without it.

A new wave of fitness enthusiasts is challenging the long-standing stereotype of the “lazy stoner,” as growing evidence—and candid testimony—suggests that cannabis is helping people exercise, find joy in workouts, and perhaps even unlock their own version of a “runner’s high.” As recently reported by Yahoo! News, and supported by emerging research, people like Mark, a father in his 40s, are using cannabis products such as vape pens or edibles to make their training more enjoyable and less monotonous. Mark credits cannabis with helping him complete the demanding months of training for his first marathon, saying, “I definitely could have run the marathon without the marijuana, but I don’t know how easily I could have completed the training without it” (Yahoo! News).

A surprising new wave of research is challenging the stereotype of the lethargic “stoner” by revealing an unexpected trend: cannabis users are increasingly pairing marijuana with exercise to boost motivation, enjoyment, and even achieve the coveted “runner’s high.” This new approach, highlighted in a recent article by Salon.com (source), reflects a growing body of scientific studies suggesting that cannabis, when used thoughtfully, might actually help some people embrace a more active lifestyle—contrary to decades-old assumptions linking marijuana to inactivity.

A wave of recent studies is drawing global attention to a striking trend: the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis – the primary compound responsible for the drug’s psychoactive “high” – is now far more potent than in previous decades. According to new data reported by Axios, the average THC level in U.S. cannabis has quadrupled since the 1990s, signaling both significant changes for cannabis users and new health concerns for society at large Axios. For Thai readers—whether policymakers, healthcare providers, students, or parents—the global surge in high-potency cannabis raises important questions about public health, legal approaches, and cultural attitudes toward marijuana.

New data shows that cannabis today is far more potent than in the 1990s. The average THC level in cannabis has quadrupled over the past few decades, raising concerns about health risks and how societies regulate the drug. For Thai policymakers, healthcare professionals, students, and parents, this global trend prompts questions about public health, law, and cultural attitudes toward cannabis.

In the 1990s, cannabis with around 5% THC was among the strongest options available. By 2025, many cannabis products—flowers, concentrates, and edibles—often contain 20–30% THC, with some extracts even higher. The rise is driven by advanced cultivation, selective breeding, and growing demand for stronger effects. This escalation comes with increased potential for adverse effects, particularly for new users and young people.

A recent study published this week has found that older adults who seek medical help for cannabis use may face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia, highlighting urgent concerns as marijuana use rises among aging populations worldwide—including here in Thailand. This research, first reported by The New York Times, observed a meaningful connection between cannabis use disorder and subsequent dementia diagnosis in individuals aged 55 and older, prompting both health professionals and policymakers to re-examine guidelines and public health messaging regarding cannabis, especially in countries like Thailand that are reconsidering their cannabis policies.

A new study indicates that older adults who seek medical help for cannabis-related issues may face a higher risk of developing dementia in the following years. The findings, highlighted by major outlets and drawing on thousands of patient records, urge health professionals and policymakers to re-evaluate cannabis guidance for aging populations. In Thailand, where medical cannabis policies have evolved, the topic resonates with ongoing public health discussions about safe use and long-term cognitive health.