It is now legal to grow and trade marijuana products containing less than 0.2 per cent THC for medical purposes in Thailand although smoking a joint is still prohibited, reports CNN.

Thailand has become the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis although the recreational use still remains illegal. The new law means it is now legal to grow and sell marijuana and hemp products so long as they are used to treat illnesses, reports CNN. The products may also only contain less than 0.2 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is, however, still illegal to use cannabis as a drug to get high and those found to be doing so in public face up to three months in jail and a fine of USD 800.
"We still have regulations under the law that control the consumption, smoking or use of cannabis products in non-productive ways," Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed. "We [have always] emphasized using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and for health. There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating people to use cannabis in terms of recreation — or use it in a way that it could irritate others," he said.
Anutin also warned that the rules applied to tourists as well and those looking to come to Thailand to smoke joints would not be welcomed. The Minister hopes that the Thai cannabis industry will boost the country’s agriculture sector and generate billions of dollars, according to CNN.