Police close unlicensed cannabis stalls in Pattaya

Pattaya Police swooped on unsuspecting cannabis stalls operating without a license in the Bang Lamung District at the weekend and closed them down.

Officers closed five unlicensed cannabis shops, and arrested one man, after inspecting hundreds of stalls in Pattaya over the weekend, reported Pattaya Mail.

Pattaya Police chief Pol. Col. Kullachart Kullachai and Dr Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, led a team on Saturday, January 7, including the Tourist Police, Bang Lamung District officials and officers from the Chon Buri Public Health Department.

Five cannabis sellers, one on Walking Street and four on Soi Buakhao, were found to be operating without licenses and were subsequently closed down.

The seller on Walking Street was also arrested. Kullachart stated that all of the cannabis dealers had previously been warned.

Although cannabis was decriminalized on June 9, Parliament has not yet passed laws to regulate its use and sale.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the decriminalisation of cannabis is purely intended for medical use and to create economic opportunities for the Thai people.

The statement was not substantiated by legislation that would prevent the recreational use of cannabis, which to no one’s surprise, has skyrocketed.

Cannabis is a “controlled herb,” meaning that it cannot be sold to anyone under 20 years old, cannot be sold to pregnant or breastfeeding women, and cannot be sold via vending machines or via online channels.

Extracts made from cannabis cannot have a THC content higher than 0.2%, such as oils or food products.

Looking for cannabis stores with a license to legally sell the drug? Whether you’re looking for a dispensary, a cafe, a street vendor, or a delivery service, Bangkok offers a number of places to buy cannabis. Check them out, HERE!

Read here the 10 things tourists need to know about cannabis in Thailand.

Police inspect jars in a cannabis shop in Pattaya.