By Luke Sumpter


What do you know about Thailand? Perhaps ancient temples, stunning vistas, and incredible food come to mind? Besides that, on June 9th, 2022, the Thai government made the pioneering step of removing all parts of the cannabis plant from the narcotics list, making the country the first in Asia to decriminalise weed.In what must have seemed like a fever dream to cannabis-loving citizens, the government marked the occasion by giving out one million marijuana plants. Approximately 4,200 prisoners placed behind bars for cannabis offences also had their freedom restored due to the change in legislation.

This move seems unreal—almost bizarre—and sets Thailand apart from most countries when it comes to cannabis policy. The catchy headlines and bombastic claims surrounding this momentous occasion have some looking at Thailand as a weed-centric utopia. However, like all things in politics, there are some rather large caveats at play. Below, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the new cannabis laws in Thailand.

New Weed Laws in Thailand: A Quick Glance

Don’t let the headlines confuse you. Thailand has legalized cannabis, but citizens in the country still need to obey certain laws to stay out of trouble. Before we delve deeper into the implications of this legislation, let’s take a quick look at the biggest changes ushered in by Thailand’s new weed laws:

  • The Thai government liberated the plant mainly for medicinal purposes. If you get caught smoking weed in public, you’ll face a €686 fine and up to three months in prison.
  • Cannabis extracts with a THC percentage of over 0.2% remain strictly illegal.
  • Restaurants and cafes can serve cannabis-infused foods, considering their products don’t contain more than 0.2% THC.
  • Citizens can smoke cannabis in their own homes without fear of legal repercussions.
  • Citizens can grow an unlimited number of weed plants at home.
  • Citizens can legally distribute cannabis plants.

As you can see, Thailand has made some monumental legal changes around cannabis, making it one of the most liberal nations in the world when it comes to weed. However, due to public health concerns, stringent rules remain in place when it comes to public recreational use and THC-containing extracts as a whole.

New Weed Laws in Thailand: A Quick Glance

Why Did Thailand Legalize Weed?

Upon hearing about the shift in policy and watching the government hand out cannabis plants to the public, it’s easy to assume that thousands of people are now walking around with lit joints and potted plants. But matters aren’t quite this liberal.

The government went ahead with legalization for three primary reasons, including:

  • For medical purposes
  • For economic benefits
  • To give citizens another option when it comes to their own health

As you can see, recreational use remains off the list of objectives. In certain contexts, recreational use remains a criminal activity. However, this change in legislation has opened up an entirely novel area of the economy that ministers hope will help to remedy the post-covid slump. Cafes, restaurants, and other businesses can even serve up cannabinoid-infused food—but these enterprises face significant restrictions.

Can You Grow Weed in Thailand?

Yes. An infographic published by the Bangkok Post outlines the rules surrounding the cultivation and smoking of cannabis. According to the Royal Thai Police, citizens can:

  • Legally own and grow an unlimited amount of plants
  • Distribute cannabis plants
  • Legally smoke cannabis

Thai citizens can now sow and plant away as they please in gardens, grow rooms, and on balconies. However, citizens that elect to develop their green fingers are encouraged to register with the government app PlookGanja. On top of this, growers in the country are able to enjoy the fruits of their labour in the privacy of their own homes without fear of repercussions.

While many Thai citizens are rejoicing at this newfound freedom, some figures within the cannabis cultivation industry are concerned. Suphamet Hetrakul of the Teera Group, for example, has expressed worries over the ability of new growers to control the quality of their flowers.

Of course, big businesses have now also turned their attention toward cannabis. While citizens can grow at home at will, corporate entities must first obtain a licence from the Food and Drug Authority before cultivating a profitable crop.

Did Thailand Legalize Recreational Marijuana?

As expressed by the Thai government, the objectives of legalizing cannabis centre around medicinal use. While the Royal Thai Police have given cannabis users the green light to use the herb at home, recreational use itself lies in a grey area. For example, smoking cannabis in public can land users a 25,000 baht (€686) fine and a three-month prison sentence under a public nuisance offence.

Strict laws also remain in place around cannabis extracts and other preparations. These products are capped at a THC content of just 0.2%, similar to the European Union’s rules regarding hemp used for agricultural purposes. Businesses selling these goods will have to rely on the allure of other cannabis constituents, including non-psychotropic cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Are Restaurants and Cafes Allowed to Sell Cannabis-Infused Products in Thailand?

Restaurants and cafes are likely to generate increased profits if they capitalise on legal cannabis in Thailand. Establishments in Bangkok have offered CBD-infused dishes for some time. Now, these venues are able to incorporate cannabis into their menus, so long as the products they use don’t exceed THC concentrations of 0.2%. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister of Thailand, publicised this novel industry by sharing a Facebook picture of a chicken dish garnished with cannabis leaves.

Things look promising in Thailand. But the legal barriers that remain post-legislation will prevent the country from becoming the Amsterdam of Asia, at least for now. During an interview, Charnvirakul discouraged tourists visiting the country purely to access recreational cannabis, stating, ..“if you think that you want to come to Thailand just because you heard that cannabis or marijuana is legal … (or) come to Thailand to smoke joints freely, that’s wrong”.

How Thailand Legalized Weed: A Brief Look at the Past

While legalization in Thailand appears revolutionary from an outside perspective, politicians have promised the move for quite some time. In 2016, Thai Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya called for the government to decriminalise cannabis. In 2019, the newly elected cabinet implemented a policy to alter the Narcotics Act and legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes. During 2018, the Bhumjaithai Party, a member of the ruling coalition, promised to legalize cannabis as a campaign pledge leading up to an election. The new legislation takes things much further, and, as you’ve read, allows for large-scale private cultivation across the nation.

However, things remain somewhat murky. Professor Sarana Sommano of Chiang Mai University has expressed concerns, and views the move as rushed. Sommano has criticised the lack of clear rules when it comes to limits on use and drug-impaired driving laws. Lawmakers in the country are also predicting a handful of large companies to take over the sector, in a similar fashion to the alcohol industry, and want to put measures in place to prevent such a move. Only time will tell!

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: