Thailand, Spain, and Australia are all making headlines in the cannabis industry with recent developments in their respective cannabis regulations.
Thailand, known for its strict drug laws, took a surprising turn in 2018 when it became the first country in Southeast Asia to regulate the medical use of cannabis. In June 2022, the country further decriminalized marijuana, allowing for its use in certain circumstances. This move led to a proliferation of cannabis stores across the nation due to a lack of regulations. However, Thailand’s new government, which took office in September, has introduced a measure to ban the recreational use of cannabis. Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew signed a bill to modify the existing cannabis legislation, aiming to support law enforcement in prosecuting individuals who use cannabis recreationally. Once the proposed law receives approval from the Cabinet and the House of Representatives, it will come into effect.
In Spain, the Minister of Health, Mónica García Gómez, has signaled a breakthrough in the long-awaited regulation of medical cannabis. Spain’s medical marijuana regulation has faced repeated delays, but García Gómez has reaffirmed her commitment to reviving these efforts. She has been working with the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products to discuss a preliminary framework for regulation outlined in a draft Ministerial Order assigned to the agency in 2022. The draft has been sent to the Ministry of Health, which plans to conduct meetings with organizations involved in addressing this issue. Carola Pérez, the president of the Spanish Observatory of Medicinal Cannabis, praised García Gómez’s efforts and expressed optimism that the government is finally taking action on medical cannabis regulation.
In Australia, there is overwhelming support for the cultivation and decriminalization of cannabis. A measure introduced in the New South Wales Parliament would allow individuals to cultivate up to six plants for personal use and sharing with friends. A recent YouGov survey found that 50% of Australians support this policy change, while only 31% oppose it. Australians also showed more support for the decriminalization of cannabis, with 54% in favor and 33% opposed. The concept of decriminalization gained the highest support among younger age groups, with 66% of 18-24-year-olds in favor. However, support dropped with older age groups.
Meanwhile, in Canada, Health Canada reports a significant increase in the destruction of marijuana crops. Canadian cannabis producers destroyed 611.7 million grams of unpackaged weed in the past year, marking a 44% increase from the previous year. This trend can be attributed to the overproduction of cannabis in the years following full legalization in October 2018. Approximately 16% of Canada’s overall cannabis production, totaling about 3.8 billion grams, was destroyed in 2022. This excess supply has led to the destruction of millions of grams of marijuana.
Overall, these recent developments in cannabis regulations highlight the evolving landscape of cannabis legalization and use around the world. While some countries are taking steps to tighten regulations, others are moving towards greater acceptance and access to cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. As the industry continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how different countries navigate the complexities of cannabis regulation and adapt to changing attitudes towards the plant.
