This event provides a platform for local growers and businesses to showcase their unique strains, innovative products, and sustainable cultivation techniques. Phuket’s First Annual Cannabis Cup this Saturday promises to become a pivotal event in the Thai cannabis community.
This time last year, the same event could have triggered mass arrests and lengthy jail sentences. Saturday, it will all be perfectly legal.
What a milestone the Cannabis Cup will represent for Thailand! Clearly, for the friends of cannabis, this is a time to celebrate and reflect.
Attendees can expect to see a diverse range of cannabis products, from dried flowers to topicals, and even innovative delivery methods such as inhalers and patches. In addition to being a celebration of Thai cannabis, the Cannabis Cup also serves as an educational opportunity for the public to learn about the medical and economic benefits of cannabis.
As the Thai cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve, events like will play an integral role in shaping its future. With an emphasis on community, education, and innovation, this event is sure to be a highlight of the year for anyone interested in cannabis in the world’s freest cannabis culture. This is yet another first in the story of the infant Thai cannabis sector.
Represent For Cannabis and Say ‘Thanks Thailand’
The event is expected to attract attendees from all over the world, including industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and curious cannabis enthusiasts. With the legalization of cannabis in Thailand and the astonishing growth of the industry, this event is a testament to the country’s dedication to creating a thriving and viable cannabis community.
And let’s not forget the impact that Health Minister Anutin has had on the success of the Thai cannabis industry. His policy of legalization before regulation has allowed the industry to grow at an astonishing rate, and his vision of adult use vs. abuse is a bold step toward destigmatizing cannabis and creating a more viable industry based on meaningful concepts.
With elections scheduled for mid-May, many in the opposition are hanging their careerist hopes on showing how much they hate cannabis. Get ready for 2 months of ugly demonization of cannabis and cannabis use. We will witness desperate measures taken by desperate politicians; never fear, once these amoral actors see the overwhelming popularity of cannabis legalization, they will quietly slink back into oblivion.
It’s time to be courageous and stand up for the plant that has a glorious history of medical use in this country. For centuries, cannabis has been an integral part of Thai traditional medicine, with its use dating back to ancient times. In fact, cannabis was considered so valuable that it was even used as currency in some parts of Thailand.
Proof of What Thai Traditional Medicine Already Knew: Scientific Consensus Around Astonishing Range of Health Issues Made Better With Cannabis
Here are some of the medical benefits of cannabis — the empirically verifiable medicinal qualities of cannabis — that have been identified through research:
- Pain relief: Cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating chronic pain, which can be difficult to manage with traditional pharmaceuticals.
- Anxiety and depression: Some studies have suggested that cannabis can be helpful in managing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Epilepsy: CBD, a compound found in cannabis, has been shown to be effective in treating seizures associated with epilepsy.
- Cancer: Cannabis has been shown to have anti-tumor properties and may be effective in slowing the growth of certain types of cancer.
- Neurological disorders: Cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating symptoms of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Undeniable Economic Benefits of Cannabis
Legal cannabis creates jobs, stimulates tourism, and generates tax revenue.
- Job creation: The cannabis industry has the potential to create thousands of jobs, from cultivation to retail to ancillary services.
- Tax revenue: Legalized cannabis can generate significant tax revenue for governments, which can be used to fund education, healthcare, and other public services.
- Tourism: Countries that legalize cannabis can attract tourists interested in cannabis-related activities, such as visiting dispensaries or attending cannabis-themed events.
- Reduced criminal justice costs: Legalizing cannabis can reduce the costs associated with enforcing drug laws and incarcerating non-violent drug offenders.
- Hemp production: Cannabis can be used to produce a variety of products, including paper, textiles, and biofuels, which can create new economic opportunities for farmers and businesses.
Cannabis Reduces Poverty
Legalizing cannabis provides significant economic benefits to poor countries. The cannabis industry is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue globally in the coming years, with some estimates projecting
The Global Legalized Cannabis Market Size to grow from USD 22.3 billion in 2021 to USD 135.2 billion by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 26.2% during the forecast period. For countries like Thailand, which has a largely agrarian economy and high levels of poverty, legalizing cannabis can be a game-changer.
The Thailand legal cannabis market size is expected to reach $9.6 billion by 2030, according to a new report from Dublin-based market data and statistics company, Research and Markets.
These growth rates are possible thanks to the government’s policy of legalizing cannabis before regulation, which has allowed businesses to move quickly and capture market share.
Legalizing cannabis has significant economic benefits for poor countries like Thailand. By creating jobs, stimulating tourism, and generating tax revenue, legal cannabis can help lift people out of poverty and improve overall economic conditions.
Prohibition of cannabis denies countries the opportunity to benefit from the potential economic opportunities that come with legalization. It can also prevent patients from accessing medical cannabis treatments, which can be a significant burden on their quality of life.
As more countries in Asia consider legalizing cannabis, they must carefully weigh the potential economic benefits against the potential risks and negative impacts of prohibition. By legalizing cannabis and regulating its production and distribution, countries can benefit from the economic opportunities that this plant presents, while also providing much-needed relief to patients suffering from a variety of conditions.
You Are Not Alone, Thailand
The following Asian nations have taken steps toward legalizing cannabis:
South Korea: In 2018, South Korea became the first East Asian country to legalize medical cannabis. The decision was made by the country’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and it allows for patients with certain conditions to access medical cannabis.
Israel: While not located in Asia, Israel is often considered part of the Middle East and is a significant player in the region. Israel legalized medical cannabis in the 1990s, and the country has been a leader in cannabis research ever since. In recent years, Israeli lawmakers have been discussing the possibility of legalizing recreational cannabis as well.
Japan: In 2020, Japan made a significant move towards legalizing medical cannabis. The country’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare approved clinical trials of Epidiolex, a cannabis-based drug used to treat epilepsy. While this does not yet represent full legalization, it is a significant step in that direction.
Philippines: In 2019, the Philippines passed a law legalizing the use of medical cannabis. The law was supported by the country’s president, Rodrigo Duterte, who has been criticized for his controversial drug policies.
Malaysia: As yet there have been no concrete steps toward legalizing cannabis. In fact, the possession, use, and sale of cannabis are strictly prohibited in the country, and penalties for cannabis-related offenses can be severe, including lengthy prison sentences and even the death penalty.
However, there have been some discussions among Malaysian lawmakers and the Deputy Minister of Communications about the potential benefits of legalizing medical cannabis. In 2019, a member of parliament from the ruling coalition proposed a bill to legalize medical cannabis, citing its potential to treat a range of medical conditions. The proposal was met with mixed reactions, with some lawmakers expressing support for the idea while others were firmly opposed.
As of now, it remains illegal to possess or use cannabis in Malaysia, and there is no official timeline for when the country might consider legalizing it in any form.
This Saturday, make it to Kata and raise a glass to cannabis! Raise a glass to Thailand!
Closing Challenge: Time To Polish Your “Cannabis Pitch”
Develop your own “cannabis elevator pitch” in defense of cannabis and cannabis use. Place important facts and ideas into three simple categories:
1. Medical benefits
2. Economic benefits
3. Poverty reduction
Of course, the meta-defense of cannabis is always pointing to the sovereignty of the individual and the enlightened claim of personal autonomy. But you are in an elevator; you only have a couple minutes.
Here are some keywords to help you get started:
Freedom/ prosperity/ economic hope/ poverty reduction/ effective medical treatment/ scientific breakthroughs/ tourist sector rebounds/ jobs by the thousands/ export opportunities/ foreign direct investment/ international thought leadership
Phuket’s First Annual Cannabis Cup
Get tickets
Pamookkoo Resort Hotel, Kata Beach, Phuket
Date: 25 March 2023. Time: 10:30 – 17:00
Full Day Event
