THE WHAT? Thailand has become the first Asian country to greenlight the consumption of cannabis in food and drink and the cultivation of marijuana, according to a report published by Reuters. Smoking the drug continues to be illegal.

THE DETAILS The government has announced an initiative designed to encourage farmers to dedicate space to the crops; it will give away a million marijuana plants to incentivise cultivation.

THE WHY? It’s hoped that lifting restrictions will boost its agriculture and tourism sectors, Reuters reports but also help to regulate the products on offer, ensuring they are safe to use and limit the concentration of psychoactive compounds contained in products.