Last updated on September 26th, 2023 at 08:37 am
New locations for cannabis tourism are emerging, and Thailand is among the front runners. The renowned National Geographic magazine recently published an article titled “As Amsterdam bows out, what will be the new capital of cannabis tourism?” highlighting the shift in cannabis tourism from Amsterdam, which has been a hub for over 40 years. However, Amsterdam is gradually distancing itself from this multi-million baht industry, with the city’s mayor, Famke Halsema, stating that cannabis is “destroying the city.”
The article suggests that Thailand, along with South Africa, Uruguay, Jamaica, Malta, Mexico, Canada, and the US, is relaxing its cannabis laws, potentially attracting more tourists. In Thailand, the relaxation of cannabis laws during the tenure of former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has led to the opening of numerous legal cannabis shops, especially in Bangkok.
Experts believe that Thailand offers a conducive environment for cannabis and has fewer restrictions for tourists. Michael O’Regan, a tourism professor at Caledonian University in Scotland, stated that Thailand is attracting cannabis tourists from across Asia and might also attract more Europeans.
However, Dr. Pipatpong Fakfa, an assistant professor of tourism at Bangkok University, emphasized the need for clear guidelines on where and how cannabis should be sold before Thailand becomes a cannabis capital. He also pointed out that legal cannabis in Thailand contains no more than 0.2% THC.
Forbes recently estimated the global cannabis tourism industry to be worth over 5.95 billion baht annually, growing steadily and attracting new users. However, with the increase in the number of tourists, there’s a rise in disrespectful behaviors, which could be a threat to cities.
The article also mentions the growth of cannabis tourism in Africa, especially South Africa, which decriminalized private cannabis use in 2018. Similarly, Canada and several US states, including Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington, are seeing a surge in cannabis tourism.
