Thailand is set to fully legalize cannabis in 2022, making it the first country in Southeast Asia. The move comes after the government removed stems, roots, leaves, and sprigs of cannabis from its Category 5 narcotics list in 2019.

However, flowers and buds remained on the list. Under the new Narcotics Code, cannabis and hemp are no longer on the list. This means that all plant parts can be legally cultivated, possessed, and consumed.

The government decided to legalize it to boost its economy and the healthcare system. Cannabis has a wide range of applications in medicine, and it is also used in the food and textile industries.

The government looks to create more jobs by legalizing the production and bringing investment into the country. With full legalization on the horizon, Thailand is poised to become a leader in the cannabis industry.

According to the most up-to-date news, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) will maintain control over extracts with a potency level of more than 0.2 percent by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive component in cannabis that makes people high.

Cannabis is an essential ingredient that has been prevalent in Thai traditional medicine for many centuries.

Marijuana is still quite illegal in Thailand and throughout the rest of Southeast Asia. However, the current laws and rules mean those caught smoking or possessing marijuana may face a lengthy jail sentence.

Nonetheless, parliament is expected to examine ganja legislation in the coming months, allowing for the usage of cannabis in food and industrial products.

However, pilot programs in several states allow individuals to grow cannabis plants without obtaining a license.