Asia’s highland do better than thais fully decriminalise marijuana

Asia’s highland do better than thais fully decriminalise marijuana

Thailand, often referred to as the land of smiles, gave some of its citizens another reason to be happy – by being the first Asian nation to decriminalise marijuana for medical and industrial use. Although it is stopping short of examples set by Canada and Uruguay, which have decriminalised recreational marijuana as well. What Thailand’s move means is that farmers will be able to grow the plant while entrepreneurs can sell cannabis-infused food, drinks and cosmetics. There are two caveats – smoking pot in public will still be outlawed while possession and sale of cannabis extracts containing more than 0.2% of its psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), will not be allowed.

Still, Thailand’s part decriminalisation of marijuana is expected to fetch the industry as much as $435 million by 2026. That’s an economic high amid the Covid-induced downturn. India continues to stick to a grey area where only certain parts of the plant (bhang leaves) and certain uses (medical and scientific) are allowed. This system came about because India had given in to American pressure in the 1980s and banned all narcotic substances. But since then the US has reversed course and today 19 American states allow recreational marijuana.

Therefore, it makes little sense to keep marijuana in the proscribed list, clog up courts by prosecuting low quantities of possession, drive the trade underground and eschew legitimate revenue. Before the ban, India had a centuries-old tradition of marijuana use as part of its culture. Decriminalising marijuana fully makes legal sense, as well as an economic one.