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Thailand becomes first Asian country to legalize cannabis. The Thai government has decriminalized the commercial cultivation, trade and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. But smoking in public is a crime.
In an interview, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Anutin Charanvirakul said the move to decriminalize the legal production of cannabis was aimed at boosting Thailand’s economy. He warned that recreational use of the drug was still illegal.
Cannabis-containing foods and beverages can be served in cafes and restaurants, but tetrahydrocannabinol, the plant’s main psychoactive compound, can be used in less than 0.2 percent. Smoking in public is punishable by up to three months in prison and a $ 800 fine, according to the Public Health Act. It is not a crime to grow or trade cannabis plants or use plant parts to treat ailments. However, the use of intoxicants in public is prohibited.