High caution needed for Thailand’s marijuana move 

 

 

Research on medical potential must be weighed against known negative effects 
 

Thailand has long had a troubled relationship with marijuana. Questionable laws prohibiting its use and their inconsistent enforcement are regularly ridiculed by citizens and foreign visitors alike.

 

That might now be about to change, thanks to lawmakers’ boldness and a growing belief in the purported, albeit as yet unproven, healing qualities of the plant. 

 

Lifting the prohibition, however, is a highly delicate undertaking with serious pitfalls if we get it wrong. The path ahead must be trodden with prudence and great care. Being careful, though, does not mean being slow. Scientific research can quickly change the world, and Thailand is well poised to join the growing experimental investigation of marijuana. 

 

This month saw Canada become only the second country after Uruguay to legalise the drug’s use for recreational purposes. Marijuana’s “pleasure” value is undisputed, but it is its medical potential that is driving the worldwide change in attitude. That potential is now under the microscope in laboratories and research studies all over the world. 

 

Along with medical benefits, proponents of relaxing the ban also cite the seeming hypocrisy of allowing cigarettes and alcohol to be sold lawfully while trade in marijuana is illegal. They also question the origin of tough anti-marijuana regulations passed in the late 1970s, inspired they say by a politicised move against the hippy counterculture behind growing opposition to the Vietnam War. 

 

Others, though, are far more cautious, arguing strongly against the recreational use of marijuana. They see legal relaxation as a potential slippery slope to widespread abuse of the drug, a powerful intoxicant that has been linked with mental illness. Thais are not as “educated” or well-informed of the potential dangers as Canadians, they say, and relaxing the law could come back to haunt the country. Opponents cite as an example the poor discipline of Thai drivers. Police already have trouble dealing with drunk driving, goes the argument, and the situation could get a lot worse if marijuana is thrown into the mix. 

 

Prior to the legal clampdown, Thais associated marijuana with mainly harmless fun. Cooks would use it as a “special” ingredient in dishes and drinks, resulting in giggles and a mellower mood around the table. Possible health risks were occasionally raised but few took them seriously back then. 

 

It’s not an easy situation to debate. If the proclaimed health benefits are proven to be true, medicine may have a powerful new weapon in its armoury. For low-income patients grappling with cancer, HIV/Aids and painful chronic conditions, this could be a huge boon.  It may not come as soon as they would like, though. Businesses with vested interests in retaining the pharmaceutical status quo may be one reason medical marijuana hasn’t reached the shelves yet. 

 

Any frustration among consumers should be tempered by considering the real risks. Marijuana acts more quickly on the human body than do tobacco and alcohol. Long-term use has been linked with loss of memory and brain function, while smoking marijuana poses a risk to lung health. In addition, the line between  light recreational use and heavy abuse of the drug can be very thin. 

 

 In legalising marijuana we walk a medical and moral tightrope. The bottom line, however, is that serious study of the pros must now begin. Political considerations must be put aside and medical research must plough ahead. 

 

Thailand is far from alone in this endeavour, for which the world should join hands. Serious and sustained research is impossible without a scientific attitude towards marijuana and its potential. A new door for medicine could open if countries come together, but everyone must also make sure we don’t at the same time open a door to fresh dangers for human health. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30357388

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-29

"...Along with medical benefits, proponents of relaxing the ban also cite the seeming hypocrisy of allowing cigarettes and alcohol to be sold lawfully while trade in marijuana is illegal. They also question the origin of tough anti-marijuana regulations passed in the late 1970s, inspired they say by a politicised move against the hippy counterculture behind growing opposition to the Vietnam War..." 

 

At the risk of being too patriotic, what exactly will the Thai researchers come up with that the Canadians didn't see? My trust in Thai scientists is dwarfed by my trust in Canadian scientists and research.

 

This is very simple. The research is either done or well on the way, and the results speak for themselves. Further, the people have spoken; the people want it. And the quote above is correct; how can a place which allows cigarettes and/or booze ban weed? It does not make sense.

 

A country in this part of the world is going to make a killing by being first to legalize, and Thailand may as well be that country; if another goes first, Thailand will simply watch another country accumulate all the wealth that was available.

 

It is time to stop listening to those old, old voices who repeat the same nonsense over and over again.

 

As the Man says, "Just Do It!"

 

End of.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

They also question the origin of tough anti-marijuana regulations passed in the late 1970s,

The origin was the USA, America says 'jump' and the Thai government replies 'how high sir'.

I'm surprised Thailand didn't have prohibition.

 

But now many US states allow marijuana, so Thailand will follow. 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Opponents cite as an example the poor discipline of Thai drivers. Police already have trouble dealing with drunk driving, goes the argument, and the situation could get a lot worse if marijuana is thrown into the mix. 

discipline and thai drivers ?ha; given the choice between sharing the roads with 5% drunk or 5% pot-high drivers, i will take the latter every time

Lol, who are these scare mongers? Where do they come from? People having been smoking weed for thousands of years, even before they were consuming alcohol. Get wreckt, you uneducated human paraquayts.

Thailand could become a leader in the field. 

38 minutes ago, Colabamumbai said:

Thailand could become a leader in the field. 

 

39 minutes ago, Colabamumbai said:

Thailand could become a leader in the field. 

Thailand has not lead in a field since the Vietnamese learned to plant rice......

2 hours ago, YetAnother said:

discipline and thai drivers ?ha; given the choice between sharing the roads with 5% drunk or 5% pot-high drivers, i will take the latter every time

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

The origin was the USA, America says 'jump' and the Thai government replies 'how high sir'.

I'm surprised Thailand didn't have prohibition.

 

But now many US states allow marijuana, so Thailand will follow. 

I have to admit, you are behind the times. Other countries are paying he band now days. USA just doesn't think Thailand is worth the effort. When the time is critical Thailand won't even be a bit player.

An inflammatory troll post has been removed. 

I cannot find the name of who wrote the "opinion" in The Nation...because I want to check his or her credentials and if they are as good as those of neurosurgeon Dr Sanjay Gupta whose CNN documentaries can be found on Youtube under the title "Weed" : there is no known case of an overdosis with cannabis...but there are in recent years in the US alone a few hundred deaths documented after addiction to heavily subscribed painkillers....and those can still be sold because the pharma lobby has money to buy influence in Congress.

 This article looks like a hodgepodge or lifted paragraphs from different sources.  I’ve been reading these for decades, and not one of them is really convincing on the point to ban weed.  

Please stop the scare mongering.  It is likely the most valuable plant yet discovered.  

This reminds me of a essays I read in high school 

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Others, though, are far more cautious, arguing strongly against the recreational use of marijuana. They see legal relaxation as a potential slippery slope to widespread abuse of the drug, a powerful intoxicant that has been linked with mental illness.

Dope smoking hippies should know that this evil plant will rot your brain.

Best to stick with pure grain alcohol for a pure legal buzz.  You were warned in the 30s.  Stay away from the weed.