Aiming for a country without “marijuana discrimination” — the barriers Thai society has overcome

It wasn’t a question of whether it was legal or illegal, but whether it would eliminate prejudice. In 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to fully decriminalize marijuana. This policy, which was met with surprise, went beyond the question of whether it was legal or not, and challenged the very structure of discrimination that had remained deeply rooted in society.

A turning point in history: Liberation from "arrested herbs"

Cannabis has been used for many years in traditional Thai medicine and lifestyle culture. Although it was popular as a painkiller, a sleeping pill, and an herb that supported rural life, the 1979 Narcotics Act transformed it into a “symbol of crime” overnight. Since then, many of the arrests have been concentrated among the poor and ethnic minorities, and cannabis has become more than just a plant, but a “symbol” that creates social stigma. It has also been used as a breeding ground for arbitrary police crackdowns and bribery, and Thailand’s “green” has become a source of division rather than enriching people’s lives. With cannabis becoming “illegal,” even elderly people who grew it in rural areas and sick people who used it were subject to arrest. In rural villages, anger and confusion at the fact that the wisdom of traditional herbal medicine was transformed overnight into a “criminal technique” has long remained.

"Patient voices" that changed politics

The turning point was the movement to legalize medical marijuana, centered on terminal cancer patients. The voice of a mother who said, “Painkillers don’t work. I want my son to use marijuana,” was picked up by the media, and public opinion changed rapidly. The Ministry of Health and progressive politicians responded to this, promoting the opening of medical marijuana clinics and integration with traditional medicine. They took a radical turn, even going so far as to decriminalize marijuana in 2022. One of the background factors was the expectation that medical marijuana would be a new care model for cancer and chronic pain patients, whose numbers are rapidly increasing in an aging society. Another major factor that moved politics was the push from the business community, which saw potential as a tourism and export industry.

The "wall of consciousness" that society faced

Even after the law changed, the prejudice did not disappear immediately. “Even if it’s legalized, people who smoke are considered ‘bad people'” “I still can’t talk about it openly with my family or at work” These voices remain deeply rooted in both urban and rural areas. Especially in schools, medical institutions, and religious facilities, talking about marijuana itself is often considered ‘taboo’. However, change is slowly but surely beginning. Some universities in Bangkok have opened research centers on marijuana, and open discussions are becoming possible in the educational field. In addition, in Chiang Mai and Krabi, young people have begun to voluntarily hold events to celebrate marijuana culture under the slogan “A future without prejudice”. Furthermore, the power of social media is also supporting this. Hashtags such as “#LegalMarijuana” and “#CBDLife” have rapidly increased on Thai versions of TikTok and Instagram, and a movement of young people sharing information on how to use marijuana, its effects, side effects, etc. is spreading.

What is "Thainess" like, seen through marijuana?

Thailand is a country that has cultural values ​​of “moderate thought” and “tolerance” based on Buddhism. Regarding cannabis, the attitude of “understanding people rather than judging them” has finally begun to spread. In fact, after legalization, Thailand is forming a social consensus that emphasizes usage and manners rather than criticizing users. Morals as a culture rather than regulations, such as “not going out in public when drunk” and “not allowing minors to use cannabis,” are beginning to take shape. It is worth noting that workshops have begun at local temples and community centers to teach people how to “properly interact with cannabis.” Monks and local doctors take to the stage to explain how to approach cannabis from a spiritual and ethical perspective.

Realizing a "society without discrimination" is not a goal but a start

Just because marijuana is legalized does not mean that all discrimination will disappear. However, Thailand has taken a step toward breaking away from a society that judges people for the act of “smoking herbs.” And this is more than just a legal reform; it may have been a cultural revolution that “reexamines the relationship between people.” The important thing is to what extent this trend can be spread throughout society. The next challenge is how to foster “non-prejudiced dialogue” in each field, be it education, media, religion, or medicine.

Questions for the future

“What do you think when you see someone smoking marijuana?” When the answer to this question is based on empathy and understanding, rather than labels such as “legal” or “illegal,” Thailand will truly become a “green nation without discrimination.”