Feb
Cannabis has been cultivated in Thailand for centuries and was legal until the 1930s. Historically, the plant has been used for medicine, fiber, and food products. In 2018, Thailand became the first South-East Asian country to legalize medical marijuana and recently, the cabinet passed legislation to legalize hemp. The excellent climate for growing hemp and progressive approach show promise for the growing global hemp industry.
Hemp Regulation in Thailand
Hemp cultivation has been effectively legal in Thailand since 2014 when the government began issuing special permits to specific state agencies. Recently, the Thai government legalized hemp cultivation for all purposes and began processing applications to produce, import and export, hemp on Jan 29, 2021, per Ministerial Regulation Re: Application and License for Production, Importation, Exportation, Selling, or Possession of Hemp published in the Royal Thai Gazette. Narcotics Control Committee (NCC) defines hemp as cannabis sativa that contains no more than 1% THC by dry weight, including the flowers and leaves.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the country’s Public Health Minister, believes cannabis will be one of Thailand’s biggest cash crops. The country also legalized the use of hemp and hemp-derived products with less than .2% THC by weight in cosmetic products.
Who Can Apply for a License to grow hemp in Thailand?
Initially, state agencies like medical institutions or universities were allowed to apply for licenses but that stipulation is no longer in effect. Thai citizens of at least 20 years of age, companies registered in Thailand, or community enterprises governed under the Community Enterprise Act B.E. 2548 (2005) can apply for licenses to grow hemp in Thailand. For companies that are applying to grow hemp, the representative whose name is on the application must be a Thai national with a home or office in Thailand. Individuals with a license that has been suspended or revoked cannot apply for a license to grow hemp. Additionally, individuals that have received any sort of sentence for violating any of the nation’s laws on narcotics cannot apply for a hemp cultivation license in Thailand.
The new law also allows families that use hemp for fiber to grow hemp at home with the limit of 1 rai (1,600 square meters) per family.
Applying for a License to Grow Hemp in Thailand
The application process for a license to cultivate, import, or export hemp in Thailand varies by the applicant’s cultivation location. For manufacturers in Bangkok and all licenses to import or export, the application can be submitted to the Thai Food and Drug Administration OFFice. Manufacturers outside of Bangkok are required to submit the application to their Provincial Public Health Office. The office will then send the application to be reviewed by a provincial committee as well as the governor. Afterward, the application will be sent to the Thai FDA. Applications submitted directly to the FDA are expected to take 2-3 months to process, while applications submitted to a provincial health office are expected to take 4-5 months.
When applying for a license, cultivators will have to declare how they will use the hemp in addition to production and distribution plans. They must also inform the provincial governors of their harvest schedules and crop transports. According to regulations, the import of hemp seeds will be allowed within the next five years.
Future of Hemp in Thailand
With an excellent climate for growing hemp, we expect Thailand to have a booming hemp industry and become a key player in the global hemp market. As always, we recommend growing hemp seeds sourced from a reputable supplier to ensure your produce the best product possible.
What Seeds Should I Buy For Growing Hemp in Thailand?
Many of the Blue Forest Farms CBD hemp seed varietals are ideal for growing in Thailand. Specifically our two exclusive strains Hot Blonde and Queen Dream are mold resistant and grow well in tropical climates. All of our seeds are Non GMO and are legal to import into Thailand. Please fill out the contact form on this page to get started with the buying process.
Sources:
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1389342/public-private-firms-in-thailand-can-now-apply-to-grow-hemp
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