Marijuana latest: PM says everyone concerned - Anutin exasperated over "overdose" reports amid recreational use

[webfact]

77kaoded Thai Caption: Don't interfere!!!

 

Changes to the regulations surrounding marijuana - that came in less than a week ago - are causing major political ructions at the top of Thai politics. 

 

It is patently clear that despite months of knowing that the law would change - some would say years of preparation for the event - the Thai government is under pressure having been caught out by the massive public interest in the issue.

 

Yesterday Thai Rath reported comments from the Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha who essentially washed his hands of the issue saying that it was health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul's baby. 

 

He said: "The government is concerned. I'm concerned. Everyone is concerned. Listen to him (Anutin)".

 

The media said that many government agencies had been completely caught on the hop by the whole legalization issue with confusion reigning especially over recreational vs medical use of the drug. 

 

They didn't delve into what is happening in the country - "dispensaries" are openly selling flowers and buds of weed that contain enough THC (tetrahydrocannnabinol) to get even regular users stoned. 

 

This appears to not be what Anutin had in mind when he proposed that people could grow weed for medical purposes. 

 

The Thai press were getting stuck into Anutin with claims that someone had "overdosed" on the drug after suffering tightness of the chest.

 

This set Anutin off on a tirade as he defended his policy. It was in his Bhumjaithai party's manifesto at the election in 2019 and has been his own particular hobby horse for years. 

 

He laid into the press for bringing up the subject now suggesting it was being used as an unfair means to attack the government and he knew why that was being done.

 

"Why bring up the overdose issue now?," he stormed. "Why not before? What's the reason? You can overdose on anything if it is misused, even paracetamol". 

 

Asked if it was political he told the press to evaluate and analyze that for themselves.

 

Then he told them: "Don't interfere in politics".

 

He said that the people should be left to get on with the changes to the law saying that ganja was good for people. 

 

He reiterated that the government's view was always to say don't use marijuana recreationally to get high. He admitted that it was his policy and he would carry the can.

 

He also admitted that the actual law on its use was a work in progress that would be sorted by having two meetings a week during the remaining tenure of the parliament. It would get done in time. 

 

So far the only concrete move is the removal from the Class 5 narcotics list. The rest has to be decided and the devil will be in the details.

 

Details that at the moment are very much in the air and up for 'interpretation'. 

 

He stressed that it has always been his ministry's view that marijuana should only be used for medical purposes not recreation. 

 

This as shops sold ganja with exotic names like Gorilla Glue #4 by the gram for upwards of 650 baht at specialist outlets in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and elsewhere.

 

"Recreational use is wrong," he said. "f there are people doing that then it will be sorted out in time."

 

But he acknowledged that Thais have used marijuana recreationally for years before the removal from the narcotics list. Though he stopped short of saying nothing had changed.

 

Parents had always warned their children about its use as had schools. 

 

This issue is not going away, notes ASEAN NOW with 77kaoded reporting that Prayuth had given Anutin a big stick to address the matter. 

 

But it is the press seeing what is going on in Thailand who are using their stick on both Anutin and Prayuth - and they don't like it having been caught out as political amateurs, suggests ASEAN NOW. 

 

Further context by our news team: 

 

ASEAN NOW notes that claims about several people being admitted to hospital after taking cannabis came from the new Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt.

 

He also alleged that a 51 year old man died from heart failure after "overdosing on cannabis". City Hall said it was heart failure, NOT an overdose. 

 

US authorities say people cannot overdose on weed and there have been no such cases. 

 

Mr Chadchart was in the government of political adversary Yingluck Shinawatra. 

 

In print media Anutin called for the matter of cannabis not to be "politicized" while a senator warned of a "vacuum" if the canabis and hemp bill was not passed during the current parliamentary session adding to fears this would delay curbs on recreational use to protect the young. 

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-06-15

 

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[ThailandRyan]

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

This set Anutin off on a tirade as he defended his policy. It was in his Bhumjaithai party's manifesto at the election in 2019 and has been his own particular hobby horse for years. 

Drug Czar for PM, Drug Czar for PM, the people shouted as free buds, rolling papers and lighters were handed out as the Czar campaigned.  Only later was it learned that his wealth would increase for every toke taken, and the Czar rubbed his greedy hands together as he also created a new travel scheme and SET company with its Stock symbol being BUD...........oh the sarcasm, but then could it be a probability? Tune in to the next Opinion Piece in High Thailand Times with ThaiStick Stoner your editor in chief.

[worgeordie]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

He also admitted that the actual law on its use was a work in progress that would be sorted by having two meetings a week during the remaining tenure of the parliament. It would get done in time. 

Too late now , the cat's out of the bag ,and you are never

going to get it back in again .

regards worgeordie

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Too late now , the cat's out of the bag ,and you are never

going to get it back in again .

regards worgeordie

Yup what he said, Genies out of the bottle, gonna be hard to stuff it back in, but then this is Thailand the land of Flip Flops where folks get caught out because something changed and they had no idea....fine money ready.....

[SunnyinBangrak]

Hang in there Khun Anutin, don't give in to the agents of disinformation. The hysteria regarding the "overdose" is a prime example of media disinformation. Nowhere did I read about the deceased persons general medical history and other issues he had. Highly misleading. A fair comparison would be with how many people in Bangkok died after having consumed alcohol in the previous 24 hours? More than 1?

 

 I note the other story is the police saying there were no reports of traffic accidents caused by the legalization. To give perspective they should have said in the 4 days since legalization how many traffic accidents were caused by alcohol. None? A couple? Dozens? Fatalities? If weed is to be compared to alcohol surely in the 4 days there will be some interesting data allowing fair comparisons.

 

Edited June 15, 2022 by SunnyinBangrak

[RJRS1301]

16 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Too late now , the cat's out of the bag ,and you are never

going to get it back in again .

regards worgeordie

and it is a very happy pain free relaxed cat.

[krystian]

The only overdose effect will be eating all the munchies you see and sleep... when you wake up do it all over again! LOL

[Dmaxdan]

Making marijuana legal doesn't mean you have to partake in it's consumption.

 

If people choose to consume it then they have to except that there maybe potential risks to their health.

[ikke1959]

Maybe they should have gone to The Netherlands firs before making decisions.. They have a a lot of experience with it, but as usual.. the Government doesn't need any help from anyone because they are all knowing and they first do things don't think about the consequences , and than when there are problems they have don't have solutions, or don't know how to handle. The whole Cannabis project was doomed to fail even before it was legalized... But the Pm promised happiness and everyone using cannabis is making everyone happy. . 

[ezzra]

Just to add, that i have seen many stupid, senseless and counter productive laws and regulation in this country, but this Ganja business is the worst of them, what was the idea behind that no one really knows...

[RJRS1301]

10 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

Making marijuana legal doesn't mean you have to partake in it's consumption.

 

If people choose to consume it then they have to except that there maybe potential risks to their health.

Alcohol presents higher risks. 

Both alcohol consumption and pot smoking can take a toll on the body, showing both short- and long-term health effects, though alcohol has been linked to some 88,000 deaths per year, according to the CDC

https://www.livescience.com/42738-marijuana-vs-alcohol-health-effects.html

[fondue zoo]

I suspect we will be seeing some very "public" raids of dispensaries selling the real stuff shortly. The background display boards are being printed and pointing sticks polished as we speak.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"Why bring up the overdose issue now?," he stormed. "Why not before? What's the reason? You can overdose on anything if it is misused, even paracetamol". 

He's right!

Anutin has come a long way from his "dirty farang" days, IMHO he's a national hero, and if I had a vote he'd be the next PM.

Edited June 15, 2022 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

31 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

I suspect we will be seeing some very "public" raids of dispensaries selling the real stuff shortly. The background display boards are being printed and pointing sticks polished as we speak.

I suspect we won't, and any police trying it on will quickly be moved to inactive posts.

There's a lot of very important Thai people expecting to make a lot of money from this, get in their way and you'll be quickly silenced by whatever means.

Edited June 15, 2022 by BritManToo

[SunnyinBangrak]

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

He's right!

Khaosod now reporting that Bangkok city hall who announced on Tuesday the man died of a cannabis overdose have now retracted the statement.

 

[Lacessit]

52 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

Making marijuana legal doesn't mean you have to partake in it's consumption.

 

If people choose to consume it then they have to except that there maybe potential risks to their health.

I've never used it myself, but I do understand it has benefits for some people with chronic pain conditions.

IMO it is probably far less dangerous than alcohol. Alcohol has been listed as a Class 1 carcinogen since 1989.

The four people who were admitted to hospital with an "overdose" of marijuana - I suspect that was not the only recreational drug they were indulging in.

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I've never used it myself, but I do understand it has benefits for some people with chronic pain conditions.

IMO it is probably far less dangerous than alcohol. Alcohol has been listed as a Class 1 carcinogen since 1989.

The four people who were admitted to hospital with an "overdose" of marijuana - I suspect that was not the only recreational drug they were indulging in.

CBD oil and Gummies assist in allowing me to have a relaxing nights sleep, after having a triple neck fusion and a double low back fusion, I still have pain.  I can not do certain exercised anymore and my stretching ability is limited.  Using the NSAIDS only helps a little as I can not use them constantly unless I want liver issues and so on.  

[Lacessit]

1 minute ago, ThailandRyan said:

CBD oil and Gummies assist in allowing me to have a relaxing nights sleep, after having a triple neck fusion and a double low back fusion, I still have pain.  I can not do certain exercised anymore and my stretching ability is limited.  Using the NSAIDS only helps a little as I can not use them constantly unless I want liver issues and so on.  

I have chronic osteoarthritis of the lower spine. I stopped using NSAIDS about 3 years ago, for the same reasons. I keep it mobilized with stretching exercises, but will definitely try CBD oil if I can't do the exercises anymore.

Could you PM me with where to obtain CBD oil, please.

[mikebell]

31 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

He's right!

Anutin has come a long way from his "dirty farang" days, IMHO he's a national hero, and if I had a vote he'd be the next PM.

I'm assuming you're joking.  He's still a racist. All ideas he publicises are to benefit his bank balance.  I wonder how much did Chinese vaccines help?

[garyk]

Curious to see how this plays out.

This is getting stranger by the day.

Think I will chew a gummy and worry about it tomorrow... haha

Edited June 15, 2022 by garyk

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He also alleged that a 51 year old man died from heart failure after "overdosing on cannabis". City Hall said it was heart failure, NOT an overdose.

Common theme with covid figures too, esp in UK. Those with heart condition, or whatever ailment—even getting hit by a bus—would be included in the tallies if they also had covid within the last month. Always an agenda. This poor dude could have also died from smoking a simple fag for all we know. Sensationalism. 

[Excel]

52 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Khaosod now reporting that Bangkok city hall who announced on Tuesday the man died of a cannabis overdose have now retracted the statement.

 

You mean they resurrected him ? ????  Oh the miracles of cannabis. Soon all dead people will want some ????

[ThailandRyan]

6 minutes ago, Excel said:

You mean they resurrected him ? ????  Oh the miracles of cannabis. Soon all dead people will want some ????

It was the Lord of Light from GOT that brought him back...just like Jon Snow...

[GarryP]

1 hour ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Hang in there Khun Anutin, don't give in to the agents of disinformation. The hysteria regarding the "overdose" is a prime example of media disinformation. Nowhere did I read about the deceased persons general medical history and other issues he had. Highly misleading. A fair comparison would be with how many people in Bangkok died after having consumed alcohol in the previous 24 hours? More than 1?

 

 I note the other story is the police saying there were no reports of traffic accidents caused by the legalization. To give perspective they should have said in the 4 days since legalization how many traffic accidents were caused by alcohol. None? A couple? Dozens? Fatalities? If weed is to be compared to alcohol surely in the 4 days there will be some interesting data allowing fair comparisons.

 

If they start comparing figures after things have calmed down, say in 3 or 4 months, and find that there have been many more deaths due to excessive alcohol consumption compared to cannabis (including road deaths), and they still want to go ahead with banning recreational use of cannabis, then surely they should do the same for alcohol. Why ban the lesser of two evils? I think the cat is already out of the bag, and has buggered off for a spliff.     

[internationalism]

great idea with ganja liberalisation, but it should be a progressive political opposition with young support base and not the most corrupted political party (in fact it's a mafia under political party masquerade).

So Buriram province is now the hotspot for ganja production, processing and soon export.

And that's why dr Anutin fought for the very health ministry post, despite not qualified and making so many cardinal mistakes during his tenure in covid response, that he had to be put aside by covid czar.

 

There are huge money to him and his ministry for issuing licenses, permits, certification etc - most as back kicks in brown envelopes that would be coming for many years after he leaves the ministry.

 

Strange for Chadchard making those moves. Wrong and diminish his political credibility as a progressive figure.  Very short sighted and will back bite him very soon.

He should concentrate on exposing corruption and possible legal fiasco, which liberalisation of ganja might soon become. It's outrage, that proper laws were not established before the last Thursday. There were many years to work on it to a T.

But possibly it was done on purpose by Anutin, the more confusion and uncertainty, the more financial benefit for him and his cronies.

They had already head start in Buriram for years, probably tens of tons already stored in warehouses and distribution chains already established to all provinces

Edited June 15, 2022 by internationalism

[webfact]

Health Ministry Responds to Concerns Over Cannabis

by Paul Rujopakarn

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Minister of Public Health defended the legalization of cannabis after Bangkok’s new governor voiced concerns over health issues following the plant’s delisting from the nation’s Category 5 narcotics list.

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said he was concerned about reports of patients being admitted to hospital after using cannabis, including one fatality due to heart failure.

 

In response, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated that the primary aim of legalizing cannabis has been for medical purposes, adding that the matter has been thoroughly discussed and approved of in Parliament. He also warned people not to politicize isolated health issues for ulterior motives.

 

Minister Anutin also responded to a senator’s suggestion that the Cabinet issue an executive decree addressing any abuse or irresponsible use of cannabis while passage of the cannabis and hemp bill is pending during the current parliamentary session. He noted that his ministry has already issued an announcement on proper use of the herb, and that an executive decree is not necessary. He added that a ban on smoking cannabis in public will soon be announced in the Royal Gazette.

 

The legalization of cannabis and hemp for medicinal use went into effect on June 9 following an announcement by the Ministry of Public Health that was published in the Royal Gazette. The removal of cannabis from Thailand’s Category 5 narcotics list officially legalized its production, import, export, distribution, consumption and possession. However, cannabis oil extracts containing more than 0.2 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are still considered Category 5 substances and are governed by narcotics control and suppression laws.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-06-15

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

 

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, webfact said:

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated that the primary aim of legalizing cannabis has been for medical purposes, adding that the matter has been thoroughly discussed and approved of in Parliament.

But wait, how is that then viewed with all of the cannabis leave drinks, cannabis food products and so on being sold in markets, drink shops, and Big C, I mean it can not be truly sold if its not for medicinal use.  Will they backtrack and now require a doctors note to buy the products like in California before they legalized it........

[tomacht8]

What a startled bunch of chickens. The laws are made and they should leave it that way and not question everything again and again after just one week. If laws are passed, they should also last for a longer period of time, otherwise the lawmakers can only be seen as incompetent actionists who are unable to think and plan beyond a week.

This short-term back and forth only causes damage and ends usually with an information chaos.

Edited June 15, 2022 by tomacht8

[Will B Good]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Then he told them: "Don't interfere in politics".

One of the most worrying statements I have ever read.......it is essential that the free press.'interferes' in politics.......by which he means comment.

[Destiny1990]

So thais may grow these plants for medical usage but not for recreational usage. So I guess Thais will grow them mainly for medical usage. ????