One step closer to legalisation

[rooster59]

One step closer to legalisation

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE WEEKEND NATION

 

A customer shows a marijuana product that he bought after entering a cannabis store on October 17, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec.// EPA-EFE PHOTO

 

As the prime minister ponders allowing marijuana for medicinal use, experts point out the benefits of recreational cannabis.

 

A woman holds a handful of marijuana flower buds, in Vancouver, Canada, on October, 17, 2018. // AFP PHOTO

 

DECRIMINALISING cannabis and allowing both medicinal and recreational use would be beneficial not just for public health but also the economy, experts pointed out this week. 

 

Thailand appeared to move one step closer to allowing the medicinal use of cannabis on Friday when Deputy Prime Minister Air Chief Marshall Prajin Juntong handed the proposal over to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in person. 

 

If everything goes to plan, Thailand could soon be the first Southeast Asian country to legalise medical marijuana. The Malaysian government is currently holding informal talks on the notion. 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreu-ngam said a new legal framework is needed to support the legalisation of cannabis for medical use.

 

Experts, meanwhile, are pointing to the many benefits of legalising cannabis – the biggest being the development of new medicines that could improve people’s wellbeing. They also say that allowing recreational use of marijuana would boost the country’s income through taxation. 

 

 

As lawmakers work on eliminating the legal deadlock to medicinal cannabis, Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) director Dr Withoon Danwiboon noted that cannabis has many proven medicinal qualities, such as reducing chronic pain, muscle spasms, epilepsy and the side-effects of chemotherapy. 

 

“Decriminalisation of cannabis would provide large benefits to the country and the people, since the GPO would be able to develop better and cheaper medicines from cannabis extract, especially when our country already has a history of using cannabis as medication,” Withoon said.

 

“We have already started researching new combinations derived from cannabis, and I believe patients will be able to get cannabis-based medication in four years if the government unlocks medicinal cannabis by next year.” 

 

Decriminalisation of cannabis would also open a new frontier for medical research, he said, pointing out that scientists across the world were racing to develop new kinds of medicine from cannabis. 

 

As for the possibility of allowing cannabis for recreational use, Chokwan Kitty Chopaka said the global community was already shifting towards liberalisation and it was inevitable that recreational cannabis would soon become accepted internationally. 

 

Chokwan, a lawyer, spends her free time campaigning on behalf of the Highland Group for the legalisation of cannabis consumption. 

 

“Even though there is small chance of Thailand legalising recreational cannabis at the moment, I believe it will eventually do so because the global trend is moving in that direction,” she said. 

 

Canada legalised the recreational use of cannabis on October 17, allowing Canadians age 18 and up to possess as much as 30 grams of marijuana and grow up to four cannabis plants at home. They can also buy marijuana at authorised stores.

 

People line up outside of a cannabis store in Quebec City, Quebec on October 17, 2018. // AFP PHOTO

 

Apart from Canada, recreational marijuana has been legalised in Georgia, South Africa and Uruguay. Uruguay was the pioneer, allowing its citizens to freely purchase marijuana in 2013. Georgia and South Africa allow recreational use, but selling cannabis is still forbidden there. 

 

The United States government maintains that cannabis is a narcotic, but the states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have legalised recreational use. 

 

One of the first customers shows to the media the cannabis he just bought on the first day of legal sale of cannabis at the Societe quebecoise du cannabis (SQDC), the government agency responsible for overseeing the sale of recreational marijuana in the province, at a store in Montreal, Canada, 17 October 2018. Recreational marijuana became legal in Canada on 17 October.//  EPA-EFE PHOTO

 

Chokwan pointed out that cannabis has been scientifically shown to be less harmful to health than alcohol and even less addictive than coffee. 

 

Plus, she said, selling recreational marijuana would boost state income. 

 

It is estimated that the decriminalisation of recreational cannabis will earn Canada more than US$400 million (Bt13 billion) per year, while California has already seen a rise of around $1 billion in annual income thanks to the cannabis trade. 

 

However, Chokwan said, strong political will and efficient measures to prevent the abuse of marijuana would be required. 

 

The two biggest obstacles to the liberalisation of cannabis, she said, were opponents’ outdated beliefs and the 1998 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which forbids the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. 

 

“We have a long way to go, but I can assure you that cannabis is not an evil substance like the old myths say,” she said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30356802

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-20

 

[YetAnother]

7 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Experts, meanwhile, are pointing to the many benefits of legalising cannabis – the biggest being the development of new medicines that could improve people’s wellbeing

rare significant good news we hear thru the main news channels

[boonrawdcnx]

Wonder why this suddenly seems such an urgent issue to deal with?

 

One would think this country has more important things to deal with?

 

I can see already the traffic accident statistics climbing to new heights in addition to the drunks , the ones high on meth we will have the rest driving around stoned.

 

If there is money to be made - like with cigarettes - governments don’t seem to care if their citizens become addicted or not.

 

I can see already a huge black market developing not for “medical use” another great tea money earner for the police.

 

Wonder what their neighbors to the south have to say about that?

 

Malaysia and Singapore still have the death penalty - even for cannabis.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

[Denim]

So many governments apparently getting it so wrong for so long.

 

Too late for me. With high blood pressure to deal with won't be smoking anything at all ever again.

[MrJerome]

13 minutes ago, boonrawdcnx said:

Wonder why this suddenly seems such an urgent issue to deal with?

 

One would think this country has more important things to deal with?

 

I can see already the traffic accident statistics climbing to new heights in addition to the drunks , the ones high on meth we will have the rest driving around stoned.

 

If there is money to be made - like with cigarettes - governments don’t seem to care if their citizens become addicted or not.

 

I can see already a huge black market developing not for “medical use” another great tea money earner for the police.

 

Wonder what their neighbors to the south have to say about that?

 

Malaysia and Singapore still have the death penalty - even for cannabis.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

YOu see a lot..Looks like rubbish to me what you see....

[bobbin]

11 minutes ago, boonrawdcnx said:

Wonder why this suddenly seems such an urgent issue to deal with?

 

One would think this country has more important things to deal with?

 

I can see already the traffic accident statistics climbing to new heights in addition to the drunks , the ones high on meth we will have the rest driving around stoned.

 

If there is money to be made - like with cigarettes - governments don’t seem to care if their citizens become addicted or not.

 

I can see already a huge black market developing not for “medical use” another great tea money earner for the police.

 

Wonder what their neighbors to the south have to say about that?

 

Malaysia and Singapore still have the death penalty - even for cannabis.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

You wonder why you are seeing reports like this in the news lately? Really?

 

The bill to re-schedule cannabis in Thailand is sponsored by the present government. It's a done deal.. These articles are what is necessary to prepare the people for an about-face after 40 years of suppression.

 

You are one of the opponents with outdated beliefs. This is understandable given the amount of "reefer madness" propaganda that people have been subjected to, in order to justify the drug war. Which, by the way, has been won..by drugs.

 

It's a new dawn.

[mikebell]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

US$400 million (Bt13 billion) per year,

It's worth considering?  The losers would be the drug barons who control the police and other establishments so it will never happen.

[bobbin]

This is now an election issue..

 

The present government hopes that "progressive social policies" will enable their repackaged successor to successfully contend the upcoming election.

 

But whether they win or lose the election, there will be a new approach to cannabis in Thailand in the very near future.

[user564545]

38 minutes ago, boonrawdcnx said:

Wonder why this suddenly seems such an urgent issue to deal with?

 

One would think this country has more important things to deal with?

 

I can see already the traffic accident statistics climbing to new heights in addition to the drunks , the ones high on meth we will have the rest driving around stoned.

 

If there is money to be made - like with cigarettes - governments don’t seem to care if their citizens become addicted or not.

 

I can see already a huge black market developing not for “medical use” another great tea money earner for the police.

 

Wonder what their neighbors to the south have to say about that?

 

Malaysia and Singapore still have the death penalty - even for cannabis.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

 

Wow, you seem to know a lot more about cannabis than the real scientists.

Maybe I need to watch Reefer Madness again, so I can be as well informed as you.

????‍♂️

 

[robblok]

21 minutes ago, bobbin said:

You wonder why you are seeing reports like this in the news lately? Really?

 

The bill to re-schedule cannabis in Thailand is sponsored by the present government. It's a done deal.. These articles are what is necessary to prepare the people for an about-face after 40 years of suppression.

 

You are one of the opponents with outdated beliefs. This is understandable given the amount of "reefer madness" propaganda that people have been subjected to, in order to justify the drug war. Which, by the way, has been won..by drugs.

 

It's a new dawn.

I can tell you one thing i rather meet someone high on cannabis then drunk as skunk as the aggression factor is so much lower with cannabis compared to alcohol. 

[fondue zoo]

Coming to a 7/11 near you, a new profit stream for CP. 

[BritManToo]

I'm ready to rock and roll!

[George Bowman]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“Even though there is small chance of Thailand legalising recreational cannabis at the moment, I believe it will eventually do so because the global trend is moving in that direction,” she said. 

Once the Thai officials figure out how to save face in regards to cannabis, it will become legal. I'm thinking sooner than later as there is just to much money at stake.

 

Some Thais tend to follow the latest trend and most tend to go away fairly quickly, which can be a good thing. Remember the milk bar one? Regardless, in the last year or so, I have seen more and more Thais wearing t-shirts with a pot design so maybe another trend is starting...

 

[ReMarKable]

4 hours ago, missoura said:

Once the Thai officials figure out how to save face in regards to cannabis, it will become legal. I'm thinking sooner than later as there is just to much money at stake.

 

Some Thais tend to follow the latest trend and most tend to go away fairly quickly, which can be a good thing. Remember the milk bar one? Regardless, in the last year or so, I have seen more and more Thais wearing t-shirts with a pot design so maybe another trend is starting...

 

She just thinks it is a pretty leaf, that smells good.

[spidermike007]

6 hours ago, boonrawdcnx said:

Wonder why this suddenly seems such an urgent issue to deal with?

 

One would think this country has more important things to deal with?

 

I can see already the traffic accident statistics climbing to new heights in addition to the drunks , the ones high on meth we will have the rest driving around stoned.

 

If there is money to be made - like with cigarettes - governments don’t seem to care if their citizens become addicted or not.

 

I can see already a huge black market developing not for “medical use” another great tea money earner for the police.

 

Wonder what their neighbors to the south have to say about that?

 

Malaysia and Singapore still have the death penalty - even for cannabis.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

Sorry to say but your post shows that you have little understanding of the situation here. Currently, the revenue collection agents (police) make a fortune on the pot trade. They arrest tourists for as little as one joint and extort tens of thousands baht out of them. Legalizing it recreationally would deprive them of that income stream. All good right?

 

Addicted? To pot? It is infinitely less harmful than alcohol. And far fewer traffic accidents than with alcohol. Read up on this. 

 

Malaysia and Singapore are lost in space when it comes to sentencing for pot convictions. They are living in the middle ages with bizarre notions about it. 

[GroveHillWanderer]

6 hours ago, boonrawdcnx said:

Wonder why this suddenly seems such an urgent issue to deal with?

I wonder why you think it's being treated as an urgent issue? I don't see anything that suggests it's urgent - it's being considered but I don't see that there's any particular urgency being attached to it.

 

As the person who is quoted the most frequently in the article (Chokwan Kitty Chopaka) points out, there's still a long way to go.

[jmccarty]

6 hours ago, Denim said:

So many governments apparently getting it so wrong for so long.

 

Too late for me. With high blood pressure to deal with won't be smoking anything at all ever again.

It comes in edible and topical solution form.  The topical solutions do not induce any high, but reduce pain.

[The traveler]

Not only south east Asia, but the whole Asia if it’s ever get done.

 

a country like Malaysia which is a muslim country are taking big steps if they legalize marijuana.

[amse]

If you know the right people, it's easy to come by!

[gunderhill]

6 hours ago, bobbin said:

You wonder why you are seeing reports like this in the news lately? Really?

 

The bill to re-schedule cannabis in Thailand is sponsored by the present government. It's a done deal.. These articles are what is necessary to prepare the people for an about-face after 40 years of suppression.

 

You are one of the opponents with outdated beliefs. This is understandable given the amount of "reefer madness" propaganda that people have been subjected to, in order to justify the drug war. Which, by the way, has been won..by drugs.

 

It's a new dawn.

I don't object to ANY drugs providing that the person taking them is  fully  responsible for their actions to others and can accept that if  their actions cause a problem they DO have to pay either in cash jail or death.

[peterb17]

8 hours ago, YetAnother said:

rare significant good news we hear thru the main news channels

Yes- but the medicinal oil etc - does not contain THC - does not get you high- and has proved effective in treating epilepsy etc. 

 

Anyone else experienced real pot heads - who are seemingly incapable of stringing two comprehensible words together ( and used to a while back call you ‘man ‘ all the time. 

 

Of course we do not dare to mention well documented increase of mental illness and impaired learning amongst young teenagers ? 

[Xaos]

wonder if thais be able to get licence grow it and sell to gov?

[hobobo]

7 hours ago, boonrawdcnx said:

Wonder why this suddenly seems such an urgent issue to deal with?

Maybe the governing junta hopes the entire electorate would be stoned at the election time?

[helloagain]

8 hours ago, YetAnother said:

rare significant good news we hear thru the main news channels

Theres enough piss heads here and death on the roads already without weed.......hash......or whatever you call it. I cant believe thailand going down this road with their beliefs but its still a sex capital so why not hash as well well CRAZY

[bobbin]

Wow. All the old guys woke up...

[mikebike]

8 hours ago, boonrawdcnx said:

Wonder why this suddenly seems such an urgent issue to deal with?

 

One would think this country has more important things to deal with?

 

I can see already the traffic accident statistics climbing to new heights in addition to the drunks , the ones high on meth we will have the rest driving around stoned.

 

If there is money to be made - like with cigarettes - governments don’t seem to care if their citizens become addicted or not.

 

I can see already a huge black market developing not for “medical use” another great tea money earner for the police.

 

Wonder what their neighbors to the south have to say about that?

 

Malaysia and Singapore still have the death penalty - even for cannabis.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

Did you not read the article? It does clearly state the Malaysia is seriously considering medical marijuana...

[unamazedloso]

thinking of moving to canada...

 

the thai gov should realize they have to legalize it for rec use. Its the best way these clowns can rip as much money as they want and the people will be too happy and occupied to care.

legalize it tomorrow and prayut will be the best dam priminister ever.

Its what this country needs. Thai visa wouldnt be so negative and bitchy any more... good times is all i see.

 

[namatjira]

to the papas on here raving about the dangers of weed...

you are the last of the small minded dinosaurs...and the ideas

that you hold dear are works of fiction.

well the times they are changing, and for the better.

Be a great move for Thailand as it is a great thing for Canada.

Thailand used to make the most popular weed in the world,

in the 1970s Thai sticks were a global export......

yep, let’s make Thailand great again........to the old boys 

with their half baked perceptions....enjoy your beer.

but one word of advice, when it becomes legal don’t be so pig headed and give it a try...

that might just change your mind .

pig headed and say no....have a little puff...that will change your mind.

[guest879]

one step closer but how many steps further away? remember a couple years ago some govt official said it was being legalized then the good general quickly said that it wasn't.

[namatjira]

The biggest wowsers who predict that pot will cause major problems are the same as the old anti alcohol fanatics during prohibition........the end of the world....na, have a spliff and relax and enjoy yourself for once in your miserable old life.