It was billed as a savior to Thailand¡¯s post-pandemic slump, but the runaway cannabis industry has instead sparked a deep domestic backlash that could see the plant criminalized once again after next month¡¯s election.
Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis in 2022. The move was widely supported, with people told the country would emerge as a regional hub for medical cannabis that would expand the health tourism sector and create a new cash crop for farmers.
But within months, it was clear the policy had instead sparked a boom in recreational use that spread to children.
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