From Pioneering Reform to Regulatory Retracement

Back in June 2022 Thailand decriminalised cannabis. That upheaval of decades-old narcotics policy sparked rapid growth of dispensaries, cafes and marketing aimed at foreign visitors. For a while the streets of Bangkok and beach towns like Pattaya buzzed with cannabis shops and bright green signage, giving rise to the impression that weed was squarely legal for both locals and travellers. 

But that chapter has closed. On 26 June 2025, new regulations were published in the Royal Gazette that reclassify cannabis flowers as “controlled herbs” and restrict their sale, possession and consumption to medical situations with a valid prescription from a licensed professional. Skip that prescription and even possession can attract fines or custodial sentences. Licensed cannabis sellers are now expected to operate under stricter oversight, maintain detailed inventory records, and serve only patients with documented medical need. 

The government says the move is about public welfare and control. It reflects growing concern that the free-for-all era had led to greater recreational use, especially among young people, and even smuggling operations. Recent reporting from The Japan Times notes rising backlash over cannabis use by minors, underlining political pressure to rein in the market. 

What This Means for Global Cannabis Interest

At the same time Thailand tightens its domestic rules, global interest in medical cannabis continues to rise sharply. Data suggest search interest in medical cannabis has jumped by over 120 percent year-on-year, with hundreds of thousands of searches each month as patients, carers and curious citizens seek clarity on legal access and therapeutic applications. That surge reflects broader public attention to cannabis beyond recreational contexts, as well as regulatory changes happening in many countries.

This global shift toward medical frameworks is mirrored in industry analyses showing rapid market growth, with projections that sectors such as CBD and medical cannabis oils could be worth hundreds of billions of dollars in the decade ahead. What’s driving this attention is not just tourism or curiosity but deepening research into potential clinical benefits for conditions from chronic pain to neurological disorders. 

Yet even as demand rises, the global regulatory picture remains complex. In some markets, tighter controls are being introduced in the name of safety and evidence-based practice, a pattern similar to Thailand’s current approach. Recent coverage of the global cannabis industry notes that the once heady optimism around broad liberalisation has tempered, with regulators and policymakers treading more cautiously into 2026. 

The Traveller Perspective

For travellers thinking about Thailand, this policy shift has real consequences. The relaxed vibe of recent years has given way to enforcement that looks and feels very different on the ground. According to travel advisories and local reporting, cannabis products are now controlled and only available through vetted channels with prescriptions. Tourists need to be aware that public consumption can be treated as a public nuisance offence, and importing or exporting cannabis across borders remains illegal regardless of any medical status. 

The wider lesson extends beyond Thailand. Just because a destination once let something pass doesn’t mean the old rules apply forever. Online chatter and outdated travel tips may still reflect the cannabis “wild west” era, but the law has shifted decisively toward a regulated medical framework. For anyone considering travel with cannabis in mind the safest bet is clear: get up-to-date legal guidance well before you go and treat medical cannabis rules as if they will be enforced, because in many places they now are. 

This evolving landscape highlights a broader tension in cannabis policy internationally: balancing legitimate medical access with public health and safety concerns, all while navigating shifting perceptions and expectations among the public and tourists alike. That tension is likely to be with us for years to come.

The post Thailand’s Cannabis Wake-Up Call: Why Tourists Still Think Weed Is Legal and What the Law Really Says Now appeared first on KIMU.

The answer isn’t simple. Some insurance companies are relaxed about it. Others still treat it like a big deal. What they care about most is how and how often someone uses it, and if it’s tied to any health problems. That’s because life insurance is all about measuring risk. The more risk they see, the more expensive it might be—or they might not offer coverage at all.

Let’s look at what actually matters to insurers, and how marijuana use fits into the picture.

Why Weed Use Matters to Insurance Companies

When someone applies for life insurance, the company wants to know how healthy they are and how likely they are to live a long time. It sounds a little cold, but that’s how they decide what kind of plan to offer and how much it’ll cost. They ask about stuff like medical history, weight, family health, and habits—including smoking, drinking, or using any drugs.

Marijuana gets special attention, but not because it’s always seen as “bad.” It’s more about understanding the full picture. Is the person using it every day? Is it for medical reasons? Do they smoke it or take edibles? All of these things change how an insurer looks at the risk.

Some companies are getting better at separating marijuana from other drugs, especially now that it’s legal in more places. Still, it’s a smart move to learn how marijuana use and life insurance eligibility are connected before applying. Knowing this stuff ahead of time can save a lot of stress and maybe even some money.

How Often Someone Uses Marijuana Matters

Using marijuana once a month isn’t seen the same way as using it every day. Occasional users—people who might have an edible once in a while or take a puff at a party—often get the same treatment as non-smokers. That means better rates.

But daily use can be a red flag. Some insurance companies will put regular cannabis users into the same category as tobacco smokers. And smoker rates are way more expensive.

It’s also about how it’s used. Smoking marijuana can raise concerns about lung health, while oils, tinctures, or edibles may not. Some companies make that distinction. Others don’t. It all depends on who’s reviewing the application.

Medical Use vs. Recreational Use

When marijuana is used for medical reasons, insurance companies look at it differently—but not always in the way people expect. They don’t just focus on the weed. They focus on why the person is using it.

For example, if someone is using cannabis to manage pain from a chronic illness, the company is going to take a closer look at that illness. They want to know if it affects life expectancy. So even if the marijuana itself isn’t a concern, the medical issue behind it might be.

That said, some companies are starting to understand the medical side better. They don’t always punish people for using cannabis if it’s helping them handle legit health problems. But again, it’s different from one company to another.

What Happens During the Application

Applying for life insurance usually means answering a bunch of questions. One of them is about drug use, including marijuana. If someone says they use it, they’ll probably be asked how often, why, and in what form.

Sometimes there’s a medical exam involved. If so, the person might take a urine or blood test that could show THC in their system. It’s best to be honest about use—because if someone lies and the test shows otherwise, that can lead to a denial. Not because of the weed, but because of the dishonesty.

There are also no-exam policies out there. These are faster and skip the medical stuff, but they usually cost more. People who want the best prices usually go the full route with medical checks.

What Kinds of Rates to Expect

Here’s what it usually looks like:

• Occasional marijuana users can sometimes get non-smoker or even preferred rates, especially if they’re healthy otherwise.
• Regular users may be treated like smokers or get slightly higher rates, depending on how often they use it and how the company sees it.
• Heavy users or people with serious health conditions might face delays, higher prices, or denials—but that’s not super common.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. That’s why shopping around and comparing different life insurance companies really helps.

Things That Can Help

If someone uses marijuana and wants life insurance, here’s what can help:

• Be honest on the application.
• Know how often and why marijuana is used.
• Stay on top of general health—good blood pressure, no major illnesses, that sort of thing.
• Ask the insurance agent how their company views marijuana. Some are more flexible than others.

Also, applying when young and healthy—even if marijuana is part of the picture—usually means better chances of getting approved and paying less per month.

Key Takeaways

Life insurance companies don’t all think the same way about marijuana. Some are cool with it. Some are stricter. What really matters is how often it’s used, the reason behind it, and the person’s overall health.

Being upfront, understanding the risks, and picking the right company can make a huge difference. Marijuana use doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. In a lot of cases, it’s just another factor—one that’s becoming more accepted over time.

Got questions or curious about how your habits might affect insurance? Talk to someone who knows the ins and outs, and take your time comparing plans. The more informed you are, the better your outcome will be.

The post What Insurance Companies Think About Marijuana (And Why It Matters) appeared first on KIMU.

You can stream the podcast episode via London Canna Group.

From LCG:

LCG Talks is a podcast by London Canna Group, a comprehensive cannabis consultancy based in London, UK. 

The first season covers cannabis media interviews. Episode recorded on 30th October 2019. The first season is hosted by LCG Marketing Director BluntPublicist.

In this episode, we speak to NEO 10Y, aka Nik Thakkar. Nik is an award-winning multidisciplinary, performing and recording artist from London. A long term advocate for the cannabis plant and its relationship to consciousness and healing, Nik has been integrating cannabis into his work across art, fashion and music. He has been featured in publications from Vogue to GQ, Paper to Dazed and Billboard to the Evening Standard and works frequently with the BBC across World Service, TV and Radio. As a vegan, Nik is an advocate for consciousness, human rights, animals rights and the planet and has worked with National Geographic twice in the last year. 

CBDecoded is a London-based, independent digital platform dedicated to enhancing the understanding and communication of the health and wellness benefits of the cannabis plant – specifically Cannabidiol, also known as CBD. CBDecoded also seeks to destigmatise and humanise the plant by profiling individuals that have benefited from the plant around the world.

Nik talks about working with brands, creating content, industry and diversity. 

The post London Canna Group Talk Podcast: Cannabis and NEO 10Y appeared first on KIMU.

You might remember seeing Elon Musk smoking a joint on Joe Rogan’s podcast, so he has made his stance on the plant very clear – and amidst growing global legalisation, it is unsurprising that SpaceX is pushing for more research on a “universal” level. Hemp is a federally legal strain of cannabis that’s used in a variety of ways, including CBD (obviously), in clothing, shoes, rope, and more. It has an extremely low level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which means it can’t produce the psychoactive effects common in marijuana and has a positive effect on the environment, violence reduction and collective health.

With already tonnes of agricultural and environmental benefits, sending hemp and coffee cell cultures to space will likely have an important and profound effect on our broader understanding of the plants. Most of all, the scientists want to know whether space in some way materially affects the plants and how they can be used or genetically modified in the future to serve humankind.

To achieve some real insight, the plants need to be in space for 30 days. The scientists are sending 480 plant cultures into orbit and then evaluating the plants when they return to the planet. 

For its part, SpaceX is acting as little more than the courier, bringing the plants to and from space. The researchers were quick to note, however, that if their efforts are successful, many more plant-based trials will be conducted aboard SpaceX vehicles to develop hardier plants.

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