Kratom: 8,000 people to have convictions/charges quashed

[snoop1130]

File photo

 

More than 8,000 people who have either been convicted or charged with offences related to kratom, will be cleared of any wrongdoing once the plant is removed from the narcotics list later this month. 

 

According to Office of Narcotics Control Board secretary general Wichai Chaimongkol, kratom will no longer be classified as a narcotic from August 24.

 

From then, people will be allowed to grow it at home and use it as a herbal medicine. However, use of kratom to create any other form of narcotic substance will still be prohibited.

 

The declassification means that more than 1,000 people who have been convicted of charges related to the sale, use or possession of kratom will have their charges cleared. 

 

A further 7,404 people who were arrested, charged or convicted of kratom related offences from October 1 2020 will also be cleared.

 

For centuries kratom has been used in herbal medicine in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia. However, it was declared a Class 5 narcotic in Thailand’s 1976 Narcotics Act due to its stimulant-like effects. 

 

In 2021, the law was amended and kratom was removed from the list.

 

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[DeaconJohn]

Good move.

   Now do the same for ganja.

   They're both beneficial when used properly.

[zzaa09]

6 minutes ago, DeaconJohn said:

Good move.

   Now do the same for ganja.

   They're both beneficial when used properly.

As is Ya Dong.

Edited August 10, 2021 by zzaa09

[mark131v]

Why??

 

Was it not illegal when they were convicted of the offence?

 

Thailand hub of abject stupidity...

[JackGats]

"Stimulant-like effects"? More like an opiate, sleep-inducing effects.

[RotBenz8888]

33 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

For centuries kratom has been used in herbal medicine

Improves (Thai) driving skills. 

[bkk_bwana]

2 hours ago, JackGats said:

"Stimulant-like effects"? More like an opiate, sleep-inducing effects.

Clearly you have not tried it!

[impulse]

2 hours ago, mark131v said:

Why??

 

Was it not illegal when they were convicted of the offence?

 

Thailand hub of abject stupidity...

Perhaps they're conceding that it should have never been illegal in the first place.

[nausea]

2 hours ago, JackGats said:

"Stimulant-like effects"? More like an opiate, sleep-inducing effects.

Not really. It's commonly used where i live, for tasks involving prolonged physical labour; haven't tried it myself, but it appears to give a sustained energy boost; only real negative is the downer that inevitably follows; isn't cultivated as such, just grows wild on neglected land, I suppose that might change now.

[FritsSikkink]

3 hours ago, mark131v said:

Why??

 

Was it not illegal when they were convicted of the offence?

 

Thailand hub of abject stupidity...

Common sense, it was stupid to convict people for the use of a plant to start with.

[mark131v]

14 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Common sense, it was stupid to convict people for the use of a plant to start with.

Why? when is a crime not a crime...

 

I happen to agree there are loads of stupid laws but nevertheless if you are convicted or doing something criminal even if it is a stupid law then you have still made a decision to break that law

[MrJ2U]

2 hours ago, bkk_bwana said:

Clearly you have not tried it!

I haven't either. 

I don't think I want to.

What's it do to you?

Did you like it?

Just curious.

[MrJ2U]

18 minutes ago, mark131v said:

Why? when is a crime not a crime...

 

I happen to agree there are loads of stupid laws but nevertheless if you are convicted or doing something criminal even if it is a stupid law then you have still made a decision to break that law

When that law is repealed:

 

"lex mitior ("the milder law"). It provides that, if the law has changed after an offense was committed, the version of the law that applies is the one that is more advantageous for the accused"

 

In this case release from jail.

[FritsSikkink]

6 hours ago, mark131v said:

Why? when is a crime not a crime...

 

When it is decriminalized, like now.

[Smithson]

6 hours ago, mark131v said:

Why? when is a crime not a crime...

 

I happen to agree there are loads of stupid laws but nevertheless if you are convicted or doing something criminal even if it is a stupid law then you have still made a decision to break that law

I think there's precedent in other countries for those charged with being gay and possibly for minor cannabis offences. It's a good thing that societies can admit they were wrong.

[jacko45k]

8 hours ago, bkk_bwana said:

Clearly you have not tried it!

What other mind affecting substances do you suggest everyone should try simply to be able to express an opinion.... hopefully?

[JayClay]

How far does the decriminalisation go?

 

Are we likely to see some of the more liberal pharmacies selling products based on it, for example?

 

Or perhaps a smattering of Kratom cafes similar for the ganga cafes that have popped up recently (although this time actually selling something that has an effect)?

[Gandtee]

6 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

When that law is repealed:

 

"lex mitior ("the milder law"). It provides that, if the law has changed after an offense was committed, the version of the law that applies is the one that is more advantageous for the accused"

 

In this case release from jail.

And compensation?

[MrJ2U]

36 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

And compensation?

It was against the law when they were incarcerated so they weren't wrongly convicted.

I'm sure they'll be happy to get out though.

 

If wrongly convicted:

 

The compensation includes 500 baht per day while in detention; medical expenses up to 40,000 baht; rehabilitation costs up to 50,000 baht; lost income based on the daily labour wage in each province; and legal expenses up to 30,000 baht.

 

Rarely will one get the full compensation if any at all.

[MrJ2U]

1 hour ago, JayClay said:

liberal pharmacies

Liberal pharmacies in Thailand?

 

There so highly regulated here in Thailand.

 

There hamstrung by the government on what they can sell.

[Gandtee]

19 minutes ago, MrJ2U said:

Liberal pharmacies in Thailand?

 

There so highly regulated here in Thailand.

 

There hamstrung by the government on what they can sell.

Hamstrung? Really. They sell many  products over the counter which are banned in other countries.

[MrJ2U]

3 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

Hamstrung? Really. They sell many  products over the counter which are banned in other countries.

There just highly regulated here.

 

One pharmacy doesn't really differ than the one across the street.

 

You won't be able to buy Kratom or weed at your corner pharmacy.  You'll need to get a doctors note and prescription.  Then you'll need to buy it at one of Anutins dispensary's at a ridiculous price.

 

I imagine it will roll out as smoothly as the vaccine procurement.

[pseudorabies]

I have a very close friend who has been on oxycodone and lately morphine for the past 10 years due to severe back pain. He has used both fresh kratom and also powdered kratom in the states.  He says that the compounds in kratom definitely hit opioid receptors although the pain relief is not as good as morphine and no where near as good as oxycodone.  It does have euphoric effects.  No hangover that he's been able to detect.  He's never had issues with dependence but neither has he for oxy or morphine.  Personally I don't think it's any more dangerous than alcohol. 

 

Just to give some legitimacy to kratom, there's been work done on the active ingredient in kratom leaves, mitragynine, by a med chem group in Japan.  They found a synthetic derivative that is more potent than morphine on opioid receptors and one that works in at least one neuropathic pain model in rodents.  This last bit is interesting since opioids like morphine and oxy usually make neuropathic pain symptoms worse.  Mitragynine and morphine, oxy, codeine etc are not structurally related.  I'm not aware of data yet that shows how mitragynine activates or potentiates opioid receptor signaling however it seems clear that it is different from morphine et al.

[JayClay]

2 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

One pharmacy doesn't really differ than the one across the street.

 

Yes they do

 

Quote

You won't be able to buy Kratom or weed at your corner pharmacy.  You'll need to get a doctors note and prescription.  Then you'll need to buy it at one of Anutins dispensary's at a ridiculous price.

 

 

Has it only been decriminalized for medical purposes then? I was under the impression that recreational use was included.

Edited August 11, 2021 by JayClay

[MrJ2U]

1 hour ago, JayClay said:

Yes they do

 

 

 

Has it only been decriminalized for medical purposes then? I was under the impression that recreational use was included.

Your right, a pharmacy might sell bubble gum and sodas.

But other than that I can't tell the difference.

 

Maybe its different set of laws in your province.

 

I'm sure they'll want to monopolize it to make money for themselves like marijuana.

That's my reasoning for them to have dispensaries not unlike California or Denmark.

 

I really don't care I won't be using either of them.

Edited August 11, 2021 by MrJ2U

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, MrJ2U said:

Your right, a pharmacy might sell bubble gum and sodas.

But other than that I can't tell the difference.

Try comparing prices, Boots with Fascino.....

[MrJ2U]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Try comparing prices, Boots with Fascino.....

Yes.

I like Watson's or Boots.

 

I'm in Issan.  Even all the noodle stands look the same to me.

 

That said the pharmacy's are very well stocked and great service.

 

No COVID-19 testing kits that I've seen, probably in Udon Thani.

[MrJ2U]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Try comparing prices, Boots with Fascino.....

What's Fascino anyway?

[MrJ2U]

3 hours ago, JayClay said:

Yes they do

 

 

 

Has it only been decriminalized for medical purposes then? I was under the impression that recreational use was included.

Our head village man has started a big grow down the street.

 

Yai cooks with it.

 

Maybe they'll be selling dime bags at 7/11.

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, MrJ2U said:

What's Fascino anyway?

It is a pharmacy outlet common in Thailand... usually cheaper than others.

https://www.fascino.co.th/

Edited August 11, 2021 by jacko45k