Thailand to ban recreational cannabis use by year-end

Thailand's Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew has vowed to ban the use of recreational cannabis by the end of the year. Using the drug for medical purposes will still be allowed. Tens of thousands of cannabis shops opened in Thailand after it became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise its medicinal use in 2018 and recreational use in 2022. But critics have argued that the rules were rushed out, having been adopted within a week of decriminalisation.