Thailand Will Give Away One Million Cannabis Plants For Free, Minister Announces
The Thai government will distribute one million cannabis plants as part of its medical cannabis legalization plans, according to one of the country’s ministers.
Thailand Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul made the announcement in a Facebook post on May 8.
From June 9, Thai citizens will be able to grow “as many plants” as they like in their own homes, according to Charnvirakul, as long as the plants are officially registered with a government agency and to be used for medical purposes only.
Thailand legalized medical cannabis in late 2018, becoming the first country in Asia to do so. It has more recently made moves to decriminalize possession of the drug and commercialize its medical market.
“This will enable people and the government to generate more than 10 billion baht [USD $28.8 million] in revenue [per year] from marijuana and hemp,” Charnvirakul said, as reported by the Nation Thailand.
“Meanwhile, people can showcase their cannabis and hemp-related products and wisdom and sell their products nationwide.”
Recreational cannabis will remain illegal in the country, and those found selling the drug for such purposes could face a fine of up to 300,000 baht (USD $8,665) or three years in jail.
