Youth Risk Prevention After Thailand’s 2022 Cannabis Policy Shift: Government Strategies in Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

Aim/Purpose: This study aimed to examine government policies and measures for preventing youth cannabis-related risks in Phitsanulok Province following Thailand’s 2022 cannabis policy shift, as well as to identify policy gaps and implementation constraints in order to develop actionable recommendations for enhancing provincial-level prevention.

Introduction/Background: After Thailand’s 2022 “Free Cannabis” policy promoted cannabis for medical and economic purposes, cannabis-related harms and youth exposure were reported more prominently. National hospital data indicated a six- to seven-fold increase in cannabis poisoning and psychosis cases, while youth cannabis treatment cases in Phitsanulok increased fivefold. As a province that also functions as a narcotics transit zone, Phitsanulok is facing heightened challenges for prevention and regulatory responses.

Methodology: A qualitative design was employed, combining documentary research (books, peer-reviewed articles, research reports, and official policy documents) with fieldwork. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 purposively selected key informants (six government officials and five representatives from educational institutions) who were directly involved in drug prevention and education in Phitsanulok. Data were collected using interview guides, field notes, and audio recordings. The study received ethical approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University (PSRU-EC 2023/046) and applied methodological triangulation and thematic analysis.

Findings: Although cannabis is no longer classified under the 2021 Narcotic Drugs Act, it remains a significant youth-risk issue in Phitsanulok. The policy intention to support medical use and research has been accompanied by legal ambiguities and increased opportunities for youth access. Evidence from documents and local agencies indicates that adolescents encounter cannabis intentionally and unintentionally through smoking, food products, and online advertising, with implications for health, educational engagement, and family economics. Government responses align with national and provincial frameworks, including the 20-Year National Strategy (2018–2038), the National Drug Prevention and Suppression Plan (2023–2027), and the Phitsanulok Provincial Development Plan (2023–2027). However, gaps persist in translating these broad frameworks into cannabis-specific risk governance at the provincial level.

Contribution/Impact on Society: The study advances policy discussion by demonstrating that youth protection under cannabis liberalization requires targeted measures beyond general drug-prevention approaches: a) education and risk communication, b) enforceable controls on access and sales, and c) multi-sectoral coordination among state agencies, schools, families, and communities, alongside constructive youth alternatives (arts, sports, and vocational pathways).

Recommendations: The study proposes four priorities: a) establish cannabis-specific regulations (age limits, ID verification, and tighter online advertising controls); b) strengthen school- and community-based prevention to correct misconceptions about legality; c) institutionalize a provincial multi-sector task force for monitoring and coordinated enforcement; and d) expand youth development programs to reduce vulnerability to cannabis use.

Research Limitations: This study had three key limitations. First, it relied on qualitative evidence from document review and 11 in-depth interviews, which may not have captured the full range of stakeholder perspectives in Phitsanulok Province. Second, the analysis focused primarily on government initiatives, with limited input from youth, parents, and community-based organizations, which may have yielded additional or contrasting perspectives. Third, because cannabis policy in Thailand is rapidly evolving, the findings reflect conditions during the time of data collection and may not reflect policy or legal developments that occurred after 2022.

Future Research: Future studies should include larger and more representative samples—especially youth, parents, and community groups—and should integrate quantitative surveys with qualitative methods. Comparative research across provinces would help identify regional variation and inform design of targeted, context-sensitive youth cannabis prevention policies in Thailand.