THC VS CBD : What is the difference? Is it legal in Thailand?

Almost overnight, the cannabis industry in Thailand has bloomed .

Thailand’s cannabis industry is projected to grow to US$661 million (21 billion baht) by 2024, according to a report by Prohibition Partners, a cannabis research firm. This includes projected growth of the medical cannabis market of $237 million, for a combined recreational and medical cannabis market of $661 million.

Thailand’s narcotics board announced in January 2022 that  it would delist cannabis that has a tetrahydrocannabinol level of below 0.2%, making it the first Asian country to do so.On June 9th 2022, Thailand officially legalized the cultivation and possession of marijuana for medical reasons, but the new laws come with regulations and exceptions.

As the medical and legal use of hemp and other cannabis products is on the rise in Thailand, people are wondering about their options and they are curious to understand what are the best cannabis products available which they can use as health supplements.

Now that people have legal access to these products, there is increasing curiosity on the effects cannabis products have on health.

This includes cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), two natural compounds found in plants of the Cannabis genus.

All about Thai climate and geography

The Thai climate and geography is conducive to hemp cultivation, making the outdoor planting productive especially in the north and upper north-east of the country, where temperatures are typically in hemp’s preferred range of 18-33 degrees Celsius. 

Growing hemp is being seen as a potentially new green cash crop for Thailand.

It’s a common misconception that hemp and marijuana are two different species of plant. 

In fact, they’re not distinct species at all. They’re just two different names for cannabis, a type of flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family. While science doesn’t differentiate between “hemp” and “marijuana,” the law does. 

Legally, the key difference between the two is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.The term “hemp” is used to mean cannabis that contains 0.3 percent or less THC content by dry weight. Usually, when people say “marijuana,” they’re talking about cannabis that can get you high. 

Since it is legal in Thailand now, there are cannabis products available in drug stores, organic grocery stores and eco markets across Bangkok. Wellness stores, medical stores and cannabis dispensaries sell a range of gummies, oils, balms, and smokable flowers that claim to help you sleep better, improve your overall health, soothe sore muscles, and generally make you feel less stressed. It’s a lot to take in, especially if you’re still confused about what the difference is between CBD and THC.

THC & CBD : Explaining the difference

CBD (short for cannabidiol) and THC (short for Tetrahydrocannabinol) are both chemical compounds derived from the Cannabis sativa plant (aka hemp plant, aka weed, aka marijuana, aka pot). So how do cannabis products differ from each other? Do they show different effects when consumed?

CBD is a non-psychoactive natural compound, which means that you won’t get high from consuming it.

THC, on the other hand, will have psychoactive effects. Most people who are new to trying cannabis products are always advised to use cbd products which have the medical benefits, they are effective for pain relief without the high effects associated with THC.

CBD is more popular and it is very common to see many products using CBD today in Thailand. CBD is also seen as a healthy ingredient and CBD oil is popularly used to cure common ailments and for pain relief. Because CBD is more widely accepted as a “wellness ingredient,” you’ll find a range of topical products in gift shops, big box retailers, and beauty stores. Scroll through Sephora’s website and you’ll find CBD oils, body lotions, anti-aging serums, stiletto cream, bath soaks, bath salts, and perfumes. The same cannot be said for THC products, which is still a gray area but 0.2 % of THC is legally acceptable in Thailand.

THC vs CBD: The chemical structure

Both CBD and THC have the exact same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. A slight difference in how the atoms are arranged accounts for the differing effects on your body.

Both CBD and THC are chemically similar to your body’s endocannabinoids. This allows them to interact with your cannabinoid receptors.

The interaction affects the release of neurotransmitters in your brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals responsible for relaying messages between cells and have roles in pain, immune function, stress, and sleep, to name a few.

THC vs CBD: Psychoactive components

Despite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC don’t have the same psychoactive effects. CBD is psychoactive, just not in the same manner as THC. It doesn’t produce the high associated with THC. Some studies also show that the high associated with THC depends on the mental state of a person. CBD products like CBD oils etc have shown to help with anxiety, depression, and seizures and it can improve the mental state of a person without creating the high associated with THC.

THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain. It produces a high or sense of euphoria.

CBD binds very weakly, if at all, to CB1 receptors. CBD needs THC to bind to the CB1 receptor and, in turn, can help reduce some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC, such as euphoria or sedation.

 THC vs CBD: Medical benefits

CBD and THC have many of the same medical benefits. They can provide pain relief from several of the same conditions. However, CBD doesn’t cause the euphoric effects that occur with THC. Some people may prefer to use CBD because of the lack of this side effect. CBD oils can be added easily to breakfast smoothies and tea, they are healthy and don’t give the unnecessary high associated with THC.

CBD is used to help with other various conditions, such as:

• seizures
• inflammation
• pain
• psychosis or mental disorders
• inflammatory bowel disease
• nausea
• migraine
• depression
• anxiety

THC is used to help with the following:

• pain
• muscle spasticity
• glaucoma
• insomnia
• low appetite
• nausea
• Anxiety

Will THC show up on blood work? What about a drug test?

Cannabis testing (and other types of drug tests) are typically done with a urine sample. According to two studies, THC will appear in a urine sample at least 95 percent of the time. “Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate will not make anyone fail a drug test.

It’s possible that the trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum CBD could show up on a drug test, so if you want to be really safe, avoid full-spectrum CBD and stick to broad-spectrum or isolate.

Will CBD make me feel weak and tired?

Some of the most common reasons why consumers take CBD products are to help them snooze longer, regulate stress, and treat insomnia.

A 2019 study found that 79.2 percent of patients experienced decreased levels of anxiety and 66.7 percent of patients had improved sleep after one month of consuming CBD.

Does THC help chronic pain?

There is inconclusive scientific evidence that THC can help pain and nausea, but anecdotal evidence proves it can. There’s a lot more scientific work and studies which are being done currently on THC and CBD. Considering, it is legal in Thailand now, it is safe to use the products which you can buy from reputed medical and grocery stores  selling CBD products in Bangkok.

What are cannabinoids?

• Cannabinoids are a group of substances found in the cannabis plant.
• The main cannabinoids are THC and cannabidiol (CBD).
• Besides THC and CBD, more than 100 other cannabinoids have been identified

Is cannabis legal in Thailand?

Asking “is weed legal in Thailand?” would have raised eyebrows in the past. However, Thailand has recently changed its tune and the answer is not as straightforward as it once was.

Thailand is the pioneer in the entire Asia to legalize marijuana. 

On January 25th, 2022, cannabis lovers rejoiced as Thailand became the first country in the Asian region to decriminalize the plant. This is quite the contrast to other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Singapore, where possessing large amounts of marijuana can lead to the death penalty.

According to the latest announcement, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) will remain in control over extracts that contain over 0.2% by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive ingredient that causes people who use marijuana to get high.

Under current Thai law, the recreational use of highly potent marijuana is still forbidden, and tourists convicted of possessing the drug can face up to 15 years in prison.

Thailand’s campaign started with a 2019 law that allowed the use of marijuana for medical purposes, a first for Southeast Asia.

According to the Thai FDA, any private citizen can grow cannabis plants and hemp for personal use without seeking permission from the authorities.

Thailand is hoping for a boom in high end wellness tourism after legalizing marijuana:

Thailand’s narcotics board announced in January 2022 that it would delist cannabis which has THC content less than 0.2%. This came as a surprise to most people in Thailand because Thailand has had one of the most stringent policies on cannabis usage and the sudden shift in government policy has been welcomed by the wellness industry which is hoping to capitalize on the new policy.

Weed for free in Thailand:

 Thai people may soon receive a cannabis plant at home gifted by their government.

Thailand will give out one million free cannabis plants from June 9 to homes across the country, to mark the legalization of the drug. The legislation aims to promote commercial cultivation.

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced in a Facebook post on May 7 that he wants to distribute one million cannabis plants with a THC level below 0.2% to households across the country for medical purposes only.

The plant giveaway coincides with the new law on cannabis growing, which will enter into force on June 9, 2022, and a recent government decision to remove cannabis from the list of drugs considered illegal under its Narcotics Law.

See, you can enjoy cannabis without worrying of breaking the law. But where do you buy them? The best source for high-quality marijuana products is Organic Village. Let’s take a closer look.

The Best Organic Village Products for You

Organic Village has a wide range of cannabis products, all prepared professionally to guarantee you of the highest quality. Whether you prefer the edibles or gummies we have everything for you. Here is a complete list of these products and what you should anticipate: 

• THC oil/ sativa hybrid. 
• Cannabis edibles, such as cannabis popcorn, CBD jerry, and cannabis cream.
• Cannabis flower, including Banana glue, forbidden dream, and Jack Herer.

Remember that you can also order cannabis accessories from organic Village. Whether you want to enjoy some cannabis cookies, chocolate, or YHC oil, Organic Village is waiting and ready to make immediate and free deliveries for all orders above 1499 THB. 

You can place your order by like @organicvillage, Whatsapp +66801350032

or on our site at organic-village.co.th. All out deliveries in Bangkok and Thailand are made in 24 hours and from 8am to 8pm. 

Key takeaway:

CBD and THC both have medical benefits. CBD and THC have the exact same molecular structure but different effects when consumed. Despite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC don’t have the same psychoactive effects. CBD and THC are both effective for pain relief, CBD does not produce the same high effect as THC.

After legalization, people in Thailand now have easy access to buy cannabis products as there are many shops selling these products. Always buy THC/CBD products from reputed sellers and understand the amount you should consume to avoid side effects.

Thailand’s decision to delist cannabis has been welcomed by the high end medical tourism industry and many other industries and it is giving rise to easy accessibility of these products.