Despite being decriminalized June 9th, 2022, Thailand has not established a regulated cannabis market. The original bill written states legalization for cannabis sales only at approved clinics. This is substantiated by officials’ repeated insistence on use for “medical purposes” only. Still, earlier this month, Berner announced via Instagram that a Cookies Thailand storefront would be opening this month. Now, as police arrest and prosecute dispensary operators, and immediately rescind their orders, confusion is building. It’s still unclear what Berner plans to do about their proposed August dispensary opening.
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What Happened To Thailand Dispensaries?
August 1st, Thai officials ordered police to “arrest and prosecute” dispensary operators for the distribution of cannabis without permission. The country has created no license or permission program, so all dispensaries currently distribute cannabis in an unsanctioned fashion.
Immediately after the announcement, public and cannabis community outcry prompted a hasty news conference from Deputy Secretary of Health Narong Saiwong, and Yongyos Thammawut of the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department.
“As for concerns that there will be enforcement and arrest, I assure you that it probably won’t happen yet,” Yongyos told reporters.
“People who [sold weed] before this announcement are not culpable.”
He went on to stress the “medical benefits” of cannabis.
“I’m insisting that we’re trying to limit the recreational use of cannabis as much as possible,” Yongyos said.
He continued to stress that health officials will “design” a convenient license process.
Thailand’s Cannabis Marketplaces
Dispensaries have been proliferating across the country since the June announcement. Yet no bill regulating the market exists. Therefore, Thailand now has no laws regulating cannabis or dispensaries.
“Dispensary” might be a stretch of the word, since cannabis sellers range from elaborate storefronts to sidewalk folding tables. Confused authorities are restricting cannabis sales to those under 20. Additionally, police enforce the ban on public consumption and can dish out $700 fines.
The bill to clarify the cannabis marketplace is currently under committee review. This bill materialized long before the decriminalization of cannabis. Finalization is expected for September, after the proposed Cookies Thailand opening.
What This Means For Cookies
Luckily for Cookies, Thailand officials have made plans for tourist zones that allow visitors access to medicinal and therapeutic cannabis. They’ve also been successfully distributing medical cannabis via their partnership with InterCure in Israel since early 2022.
Still, amidst the confusion and lack of regulation, it remains unclear what plans Cookies has for their Thailand operation. While they have the potential to operate as a medical clinic, some reports have stated that consumers are more interested in the foreign strains than the sativa landraces that Thailand is known for. Adding to the allure of a more “traditional” Cookies storefront atmosphere.
