BANGKOK — Thailand legalized the growing of marijuana and its consumption in food and drinks on Thursday, the first Asian country to do so, with the aim of boosting its agriculture and tourism sectors but smoking pot is still against the law. ADVERTISEMENTAmong those at the front of the queue at one Bangkok shop was Rittipong Dachkul, 24, waiting since Wednesday evening to buy his first ever legal marijuana. Thailand, which has a tradition of using cannabis to relieve pain and fatigue, legalized medicinal marijuana in 2018. “After COVID, the economy going down the drain, we really do need this,” said Chokwan Kitty Chopaka, who owns a shop selling cannabis gum sweets. But authorities aim to head off an explosion of recreational use by limiting the strength of the products on offer.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 10, 2022 21:52 UTC