Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is urging police not to arrest people growing marijuana at home ahead of June 8, the day cannabis and hemp are officially delisted from the country's narcotics list.
Khon Kaen police arrested two women for growing one cannabis plant each for medical purposes on Sunday. Both women spent a night in jail before being released on bail. The matter prompted an inquiry into the current status of cannabis.
Mr Anutin, head of the Bhumjaithai Party, promised to legalise cannabis in his 2019 election campaign.
He held a meeting with the authorities and law experts yesterday and concluded that the ministry announced last month in the Royal Gazette that the removal of cannabis and hemp from the narcotics list will take effect on June 8, 120 days after the announcement was published.
The law is undergoing a "transition period", which may lead to some confusion among law enforcers and people, Mr Anutin said, adding the Royal Thai Police should refrain from taking action against those who grow a few cannabis plants at home for medical purposes.