Thailand legislature legalises medical marijuana and kratom

Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to take such action, which is also under consideration in neighboring Malaysia.

marijuana legalisation, Thailand, Thailand legalises marijuana, Thailand marijuana, Malaysia, world news — The Thai legislation passed its final reading at the National Legislative Assembly by a vote of 166-0 with 13 abstentions. (AP/File)

Thailand’s legislature on Tuesday agreed to amend the country’s drug law to allow the licensed medical use of marijuana, as well as kratom, a locally grown plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller.

Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to take such action, which is also under consideration in neighboring Malaysia. New Zealand’s government earlier this month enacted a law liberalizing the medical use of marijuana, which had previously been tightly restricted.

The Thai legislation passed its final reading at the National Legislative Assembly by a vote of 166-0 with 13 abstentions.

The changes, which become law when published in the Royal Gazette, legalize the production, import, export, possession and use of marijuana and kratom products for medical purposes.