Confusion still as Thailand gets to grips with marijuana law changes - Thais flood 10M baht Buriram event

[webfact]

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Despite the fact that Thailand has had months to analyse the implications of last Thursday's changes to laws taking marijuana off the Class 5 narcotics list the country's authorities have been caught on the hop, suggests ASEAN NOW.

 

This was plain to see in a report of issues concerning driving under the influence of the drug's main psychoactive ingredient, reported Thai Rath

 

Exactly how much THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in the blood should be allowed and what level should be prosecuted under DUI laws is completely unclear - even the police admit it. 

 

This all comes as a staggering 80,000 mostly Thai people visited a marijuana symposium and workshop on Sunday to find out all about growing and using weed and hemp, reported Siam Rath who said that 10 million baht was spent at the fair.

 

One of the chief proponents of changes in the law - Thailand's flamboyant and controversial health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul opened the "360 Degree Ganja" event at the Chang International Circuit. 

 

His Bhumjaithai party promoted weed as part of their election manifesto in 2019 but even Anutin might be a little surprised by the interest the law changes have created. Though he has always said it would be a multi billion baht industry with many ordinary Thais benefitting.

 

That level of surprise is being reflected by many online who have commented in droves about their amazement that Thailand has finally entered the modern era when it comes to cannabis. Many countries in the world have made the drug legal for recreational use as well as medical. Some are more cautious in their approach or have made no moves. 

 

But are the authorities in Thailand ready for the consequence?

 

Clearly not if many of the stories circulating are to be believed. 

 

Thai Rath reported widespread confusion and concern.

 

Leading the way was Anti-Drink Driving Foundation secretary Thaejing Siriphanich a tireless proponent of stopping alcohol DUI who has found little need to address DUI of drugs in the past.

 

He said he was concerned that smoking weed impaired driving ability and in the past had contributed to accidents on Thailand's treacherous roads. 

 

He called being high and driving "very dangerous" and urged people not to smoke and get behind the wheel. 

 

He called on the government to get its act together so the appalling accidents stats on the Thai roads don't get worse. 

 

Law changes are a work in progress with the cabinet yet to announce definitive measures despite knowing for three months that weed was to come off the narcotics list. 

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath contacted a leading figure in the police who has been responsible for a host of law changes - this is Region 6 deputy Pol Maj-Gen Ekkarak Limsangkat.

 

Even he has been caught off guard.

 

He said that the RTP only met on Friday the day after the law changes came into effect. 

 

Top brass officers were discussing exactly what level of THC in the blood could be prosecuted under DUI laws - namely Article 43 (2).

 

He accepted that high levels of THC would be dangerous leading to considerable impairment to drive. 

 

But with many products now legal plenty of people would have THC in their systems maybe just from food or medical marijuana. 

 

Others who smoke it or take edibles (that are widely available in Thailand and have been for a long time) might have considerable quantities of THC in their system.

 

Maybe even for weeks in smaller or trace amounts. 

 

He hinted at a law change being possible to decide what "mao" (drunk) on marijuana actually meant. 

 

Thaejing called the law "completely unclear". He was also concerned that little had been done to restrict weed products for under 18s up to now. 

 

Meanwhile mainstream online forums, news sites and specialist sites were now emboldened to freely promote weed and show what used to be undergound or at least partly hidden, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

These include weed "dispensaries" in the Thai capital Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket where buds or flowers are being sold at high prices such as 650 baht a gram.

 

Vendors are openly proud about their wares contained in see through jars before customers get their products weighed on sensitive balances. Many weed varieties with exotic names have THC content at a level of 17% - more than enough to get any user high. 

 

For those who have suggested that the law change was just about growing hemp and ganja products containing 0.2% THC, think again. 

 

The advice about illegality currently is that THC levels only refer to what is known as extracts.

 

Many people are taking this as party time when it comes to smoking weed from buds or flowers or vaping the product, a more discrete way with little smell if any. 

 

And many potential tourists to Thailand are looking on amazed by the news.

 

One told ASEAN NOW from the UK:

 

"I like the basic guidance, you can smoke but don't flaunt it. 

 

"I think it will be aimed at foreigners given current prices - 650 baht a gram - I've never paid that much it's more than double than the UK."

 

"It's a dream, silly money. Tourists will need to be discrete though or I guess will face fines. For those who vape discretion is everywhere".

 

This further brings into question the whole issue of E-cigarettes and vaping devices that have been the subject of fines mainly for importers and vendors. Despite the fact that the DES Minister favors law changes in this area too.

 

This remains a grey area especially when it comes to vaping in the street.

 

Many are predicting that ultimately big players will control the market with tourists a target.

 

"The average Thai will have to grow their own," suggested our contact.

 

But he warned that the Thai government could make a U-turn at any moment before adding:

 

"I think it will be great for tourism - most people love a "good blaze" on holiday". 

 

Such sentiments are now being widely expressed and openly discussed online. 

 

People are discovering friends, relatives and associates from their past who have "come out of the ganja closet" with many saying 

 

Happy Days in Thailand!

 

This all comes with the caveat about what the cabinet will decide and how the police will firstly interpret the law and secondly make efforts to push for clarity and changes in its specifics. 

 

Thailand is entering a new era and it is fairly typical that the authorities have failed miserably to understand the implications, we suggest.

 

But there is widespread interest and a lot of money involved. 

 

Many are in favor of complete liberalization but detractors are concerned especially when it comes to issues like DUI, youth smoking and possible annoyance to non-users. 

 

Based on Thai Rath, Siam Rath, online information and the ASEAN NOW news team's own investigations. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-06-13

 

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[ezzra]

Most perplexing event i ever herd of, millions of Thais are getting those free plant not entirely sure what and what NOT they can do with it while the police is all over the place warning them not to use then nefariously of the'll end up in jail...

[ChaiyaTH]

I guess I am the most surprised of all, as I do understand the law change perfectly yet everyone is now doing illegal things that are somehow allowed? On top of that you get doctors screaming all sorts of things, again not seeming to understand themselves what CBD focus with max 0.20% THC would effectively do.

Regardless, I am not complaining, I have been a medicinal user for over 15 years. Amazing Thailand once again, I would feel so embarrassed if being Thai.

Edited June 13, 2022 by ChaiyaTH

[ChaiyaTH]

To add, even more funny, they are not sure how to check on THC levels for driving, that can't be tested lol. On top of that, the freaking new law describes the maximum already: 0.20% (this is a nonsense percentage, but it is the LAW). What a clowns lol.

 

Testing would either be negative or positive, and illegal for anyone not using it medicinal. So what exactly does the police, doctors or officials not understand? They can't read 3 sentences in Thai now too?

So just adjust the law to make it legal entirely, stop the percentage nonsense. Do standard testing on recent use of cannabis for DUI tests aside with alcohol tests, end of the story. 

Edited June 13, 2022 by ChaiyaTH

[Bert got kinky]

 

Keep the confusion rolling, It is currently doing more for smokers than the politicians creating the confusion. ????

 

 

[IamNoone88]

Its a hemp industry as its all less than 0.3% THC.

 

Its not a cannabis/marijuana industry per se as that product is all classed above 0.3% THC and still very illegal.

 

Less than 0.3% will have very little effect other than bragging rights on tik tok for the social wannabes. If it helps for medical reasons, then great.

 

 

[george]

3 minutes ago, IamNoone88 said:

Its a hemp industry as its all less than 0.3% THC.

 

Its not a cannabis/marijuana industry per se as that product is all classed above 0.3% THC and still very illegal.

 

Less than 0.3% will have very little effect other than bragging rights on tik tok for the social wannabes. If it helps for medical reasons, then great.

 

 

You are completely wrong here.

[Thunglom]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite the fact that Thailand has had months to analyse the implications of last Thursday's changes to laws taking marijuana off the Class 5 narcotics list the country's authorities have been caught on the hop, suggests ASEAN NOW.

they've had DECADES - but ;ike most legislation in Thailand it is a dictum, rather than carefully thought out, science and reason-based legislation.

[Moon6966]

I don't understand what is all the fuss about 

I was in Estonia last year and found out that I can order it online 

After I was with a friend in open legal shop who sells it 

So i checked about the trc % and it was similar to Thailand 

I must say that what we bought Wes nothing really good 

A what I ordered was i would nearly say waste of money 

So the legal weed which is legal. Is same if you selling alcohol drink with maybe 1 or 2 % alcohol... 

Its might taste as but you not really going to get anything out of it 

[PEE TEE]

confused!! can i import some Nepalese black resin and get stoned legally ? 

[bkk6060]

Wait till it goes mainstream in high schools.  A bunch of brain cell destroying dead heads.

Also, any amount of THC driving should be illegal which is the law in many western countries.  There are field tests available, but blood is the most reliable.  Also, they need to train more cops for DRE ( drug recognition expert) to better detect the offenders.

Edited June 13, 2022 by bkk6060

[SymS]

Wait... Where are the selling times (like alcohol) to protect the public? They haven't clearly thought this through!

[hioctane]

The 0.2% THC is for extracts only. So there is no limit on buds?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

His Bhumjaithai party promoted weed as part of their election manifesto in 2019 but even Anutin might be a little surprised by the interest the law changes have created. Though he has always said it would be a multi billion baht industry with many ordinary Thais benefitting.

Anutin railroaded this through without a single consultation with any other departments.

No thought of the aftermath of his actions, just thoughts of his own ego, status and wealth.

 

He should be kicked out of government.

[Snig27]

39 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Wait till it goes mainstream in high schools.  A bunch of brain cell destroying dead heads.

 

You need to stop watching that copy of Reefer Madness your great grandmother gave you and join the rest of the planet in the 21st Century. 

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Top brass officers were discussing exactly what level of THC in the blood could be prosecuted under DUI laws

and they found it doesn't matter what the levels are.

What matters is who the person with any THC level is, who they know, who their Daddy is, what their bank account is and whether their Mom has a house they can hide at.

An appropriate check list is being prepared.

[aussienam]

I am sure that the Thai police will end up following other guidelines and legislation already in place for drug driving.  This usually involved a roadside saliva test and then if positive an impairment test (like a sobriety test) and the sample sent off to a lab for checking levels of THC and/or other drugs in their system.  It would probably also be used alongside usual alcohol testing too.  

Here is a link from an Australian law site as an example of legislation and procedures in place in Victoria.  I am guessing it won't be long before we have something similar here in Thailand. 

https://sherlawyers.com.au/everything-you-need-to-know-roadside-drug-testing-vic/ 

[Sydebolle]

Well, looking forward to the next election when most of the electorate will arrive completely stoned to cast their vote ........ smart move! 

[Golden Triangle]

It wouldn't be the 1st time that I've had a spliff or 2, but I've always bought them ready made, I wouldn't have a clue how to get started on my own ie tobacco to giggle weed ratio etc.

[WinterGael]

3 hours ago, ezzra said:

Most perplexing event i ever herd of, millions of Thais are getting those free plant not entirely sure what and what NOT they can do with it while the police is all over the place warning them not to use then nefariously of the'll end up in jail...

Most Thais I know like this as they cook with the plants.  They don't seem interested in smoking it, which is just as well because, honestly, Thai pot does not get you high.

 

As I've stated on here before, the obvious direction for growth is the medicinal market.  That's where the money is.

[Will B Good]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that the RTP only met on Friday the day after the law changes came into effect. 

What a complete and utter farce.

[marin]

1 hour ago, Moon6966 said:

So the legal weed which is legal. Is same if you selling alcohol drink with maybe 1 or 2 % alcohol... 

Its might taste as but you not really going to get anything out of it 

You dont get it. Here is an example of what you can get on what was the black market. Check out the THC level. 

[JimboB4]

The weed shops around here are now about the same as a head shop in California. The flower I’ve been legally buying has anywhere from 15 to 25% THC. They even have great selections now of different strains it’s greatly improved. There’s literally no confusion at all. Is this like the Fox News of Thailand? 

[JimboB4]

1 minute ago, marin said:

You dont get it. Here is an example of what you can get on what was the black market. Check out the THC level. 

It’s not the black market at all this now what the legal cannabis shops actually sell. 

[JimboB4]

The only changes they made to the laws was loosening restrictions completely. Or really all did was totally remove the restrictions. If you go to the legal shop and buy it there’s obviously no confusion. 

Edited June 13, 2022 by JimboB4

[MarcelV]

As a foreigner in Thailand, I can only repeat my mantra: Stay Away From Narcotics. Just do.

[wbmjc]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Exactly how much THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in the blood should be allowed and what level should be prosecuted under DUI laws is completely unclear

 

привіт !

It's unclear everywhere in the world and anyway you are positive or not, because it's impossible to blood check everybody.

On the road you will be positive even 1 month after your last joint and this is what matters, it means that any regular smoker checked will be positive and fined.

What else do you need to know ? if you have any question just as me pelase.

 

[MarcelV]

Just now, wbmjc said:

I would reply you to stay away from alcohol, it damages people a lot more.

Think that my reply is stupid ? maybe, just as yours.

 

 

Thanks, but I already stay away from alcohol. Haven't had a drop in two years, mate.

[wbmjc]

44 minutes ago, WinterGael said:

Thai pot does not get you high

is it a joke ? or you just have no idea about what you are talking about ? in case you still doubt, it's ridiculous.

Every single sentence of your post it totally wrong, as if we were stupid people living 50 years ago...

 

 

 

Edited June 13, 2022 by wbmjc

[Optomist]

2 hours ago, george said:

You are completely wrong here.

I completely agree with George, as we apllied, and you do have the option of Cannabis or Hemp.