Thailand’s Cannabis Rollercoaster: Tight New Rules and Lessons for Asia
Three years after breaking new ground as the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis, Thailand is now reining in its green ambitions amid a whirlwind of controversy, regulatory confusion, and social challenges. Effective from this week, new laws require Thais and tourists alike to have a doctor’s prescription to purchase cannabis, sharply curtailing the euphoric “green rush” that swept the nation and turned once-conservative streets into thriving hubs for weed enthusiasts and curious travelers alike. The abrupt policy turn aims to restore some order to a marijuana industry that, by many accounts, spun out faster than policymakers or the public could process, igniting national debate over its economic contributions, social costs, and the pathway forward.