Footage shows long queues at a cannabis cafe in Bangkok today as Thai police began returning 16 tonnes of seized marijuana to former offenders as the country decriminalised the drug.

Pot-heads were celebrating as the plants, worth 110 million Baht ( 2.5million GBP), that were confiscated this year for suspected drug possession were released.

It came as ministers this week decriminalised marijuana in an attempt to boost the country's economy through marijuana's links to agriculture, medicine and tourism.

More than 3,000 inmates jailed for cannabis offences have now been released from prison. The weed that police had seized will now be handed back to those who previously owned it.

Narcotics Control Board chief Wichai Chaimongkol said: 'In the case of marijuana, on June 9, the substance has been legalised and removed from the list of banned narcotics.

'Neither dried cannabis nor fresh cannabis are considered a drug, except extracts containing tetrahydrocannabinol. The total amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, shall not exceed 0.2 per cent by weight, specifically permitted for extraction from domestically grown cannabis or hemp plants.

'After this change in the law, the NACC has taken relevant action, namely, the matter of returning the assets of the accused in marijuana cases that are in the litigation. The total asset value is over 110 million baht.'

Suspects whose cannabis was seized have to apply to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board in Bangkok or the city where their case was heard.

The changes make Thailand the first country in South-East Asia to effectively legalise cannabis, a region known for its stringent drug laws. The government is even giving away a million cannabis seedlings to residents to encourage them to grow the plant.

Health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said: 'This is an opportunity for people and the state to earn income from marijuana and hemp.'

Despite the lenient measures, smoking cannabis in public for recreational use is still considered illegal.