CURRENT SITUATION AND NEW TRENDS OF THAILAND CANNABIS INDUSTRY

Abstract

In 2018, Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalize the use of medicinal
cannabis and the fourth countries globally that freely legalize cannabis after Uruguay, Canada
and Mexico. In the midst of the problem and negative rumors of cannabis spreading, especially
as a political discourse that addresses the issue of misuse of cannabis results in confusion and
paranoia among the public. So our objective in this study are to review, analyze and understand
the current legal framework surrounding medical cannabis in Thailand for further
implementation of medical cannabis policies and identify the emerging trends, challenges, and
opportunities in the Thai medical cannabis industry from the perspectives of stakeholders
including policymakers, medical professionals, patients, and industry representatives. Type of
Study Employed a qualitative methods by literature review to analyze trends in medical
cannabis consumption, market size, and regulatory compliance and interviews with key
informants to obtain in-depth insights into their perspectives on medical cannabis, its current
status, and future trends Focus groups discussion was done among stakeholders regarding their
experiences, challenges, and recommendations related to medical cannabis. Finding that there
are great development and gain in 8 fields: Medical Cannabis Legalization, Cultivation and
Production, Export Opportunities, Regulatory Framework, Research and Development,
Tourism and Wellness, Domestic Market Growth, Social Impact and Equity. New trends of
Thailand cannabis industry and Innovative recommendations described in this study. Overall,
Thailand's cannabis industry is poised for continued growth, driven by supportive government
policies, favorable climate conditions, and increasing interest from domestic and international
investors. However, challenges such as regulatory complexity and the need for further research
and development remain significant.