Picture: Siam Rath

 

Thailand's authorities continued to show that they had not fully thought through the consequences of the change in the marijuana laws that came in less than two weeks ago, notes ASEAN NOW. 

 

To say they have been caught on the hop - and more than a little surprised by the reaction of the public - would be a colossal understatement. 

 

Yesterday was another case in point. On the one hand the PM was warning new users not to smoke weed, while his committee looking into the details of the law changes was upping the ante and proposing allowing Thais to grow more plants, not less. 

 

While market chiefs scurried to make sure that consumers know what is exactly going into their food and drinks.

 

The removal of marijuana and hemp from the Class 5 narcotics list came into effect on June 9th after a three month waiting period where few knew what would actually transpire.

 

Then the floodgates opened.

 

People brought their already thriving plants out of the shadows, dispensaries previously dealing in secret or not at all, popped up everywhere. Many tourists and users were smiling but the authorities have been bombarded with questions from the Thai press and are patently lacking the knowledge to respond accurately.

 

ASEAN NOW has published stories that feed into the "Reefer Madness" rhetoric put out by the sensationalist Thai press - people getting allergic reactions, the Bangkok governor making absurd "politicized" claims that were soon debunked, a fight over plants in Chiang Mai, that sort of thing.

 

Some of that needs a warning about its accuracy.

 

This week we have led with an advertising-cum-news story about PrikPot Thailand that will deliver potent buds containing high quantities of THC to your door with Kerry delivery services. Same day service was announced for Chiang Mai.

 

ASEAN NOW's popular Saturday columnist Rooster explored the issue and created a lively debate between established users of the drug and opponents who are aghast at what has happened. Some comments had to be removed such was the vitriol on both sides.

 

We have also carried a story about tourism starting to thrive again as evidenced by Google searches. Some are suggesting that part of that interest has been fueled by the ganja law changes.

 

One insider in England told ASEAN NOW: "People here all talking about what is going on in Thailand and asking about trips to the country. More and more are asking - despite the insane prices".

 

Much of the weekend's debate centered on the relative costs in the US, Canada and now Thailand where just a gram of bud is selling for around 700 baht. 

 

Prices are expected to rise as supplies dwindle before prices drop according to some. 

 

Yesterday Siam Rath reported comments made by the Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the Veterans' Relief Organization where he said:

 

"Yes, I always knew there would be consequences. That's why (health minister and DPM) Anutin is chairing a committee looking into all of it".

 

Last week the PM put everything in Anutin Charnvirakul's court saying it was his baby; it was a key manifesto point of his Bhumjaithai party at the last election in 2019. 

 

The PM acknowledged that there needed to be lots more done to promulgate a clear set of rules and laws but his overriding message was:

 

"If you've never smoked it don't try it now" according to the media. 

 

This was in stark contrast to Panthep Phuaphongphan, the spokesman for the house committee on cannabis law change.

 

He said they were going to propose that each household be allowed to grow up to TEN plants. 

 

This up from the previous stated aim to allow only six. The reason being that people will be able to make more money and the economy will be better. 

 

Meanwhile, the head of the Bangkok Market Traders' Association Phinit Arayasinpathorn said that all market traders under their jurisdictions and private traders must follow MoPH regulations about what goes into food items. 

 

There should be clear signage about what cannabis products have gone into food so that the consumer can make clear choices.

 

He promised that checks will be made that this is being done as well as PR campaigns to raise awareness among traders of all the issues involved. 

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-06-21

 

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Now he tells us after half of our neighbourhood has marijuana plants in their front yard...

You know they will.  Just like anything else new.

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

where just a gram of bud is selling for around 700 baht

100 baht at my local 

Give it a year to assess the economic effect.

Don't smoke are the same wise words you tell a child when talking about alcohol.  Too young don't drink, or smoke cigarettes, or marijuana.
Smoke responsibly are the wise words you talk to the public about marijuana.  Just like 'drink responsibly if you chose to drink.'   It's the same concept.

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

"If you've never smoked it don't try it now"

As always....Uncle knows best.

 

 

 

Asean now have promoted many "reefer madness"  type stories on here, yet, somewhat perversely have also  started an informative "cannabis forum"  I wonder why

Misinformed outbursts by people quoting the tired old anti cannabis propaganda should be classed as fake news and removed

 

7 minutes ago, connda said:

Give it a year to assess the economic effect.

Give it a year of smoking weed and they wont give a hoot about the economy 

The Government spend weeks promoting weed and then say don't smoke it duh!

Go Uncle....

23 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Misinformed outbursts by people quoting the tired old anti cannabis propaganda should be classed as fake news and removed

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion even if it disagrees with your position.  I assume you will object to this statement;

Misinformed outbursts by people quoting the tired old anti pro cannabis propaganda should be classed as fake news and removed.

.... Because you might stop being a miserable drug-warrior party-pooper, or a beer-chugging old-schooler, who smells the weed on the winds of change, and realises weed is now potentially much cheaper than booze in Thailand and is a better social lubricant (especially in the sack) than booze is too!

How could you possibly abandon the catpee tang of Chang?

Think of the billionaire beer barons! ???? (They prefer non-liquid coke!)

Pray-hoot and his circus of Gov't cronies now want to close the barn after the horses have bolted.  These guys couldn't plan and escape themselves out of a paper bag.  Genuine idiots.

7 minutes ago, Jerno said:

Genuine idiots.

Please don't insult "genuine idiots" although I am having problems of thinking of which useless groups to include this bunch of $£"$££" into without insulting that group be it animate or inanimate!

 

 

Seriously, why do people who have never tried weed always seem to open their flap and dictate mostly complete ignorant nonsense to third-party others?

 

Why are they so paranoid about a plant that has never in all of human history killed anyone, not even an unsuspecting child eating a pound of THC edibles?

 

Just freaking chill. Go and TRY some!

1 hour ago, webfact said:

If you've never smoked it don't try it now

Unless it's between the hours of 2 - 5pm

"Yes, I always knew there would be consequences. That's why (health minister and DPM) Anutin is chairing a committee looking into all of it".

 

How reassuring he is in the chair someone plug it in to the mains first ???? 

1 hour ago, Bday Prang said:

Asean now have promoted many "reefer madness"  type stories on here, yet, somewhat perversely have also  started an informative "cannabis forum"  I wonder why

Misinformed outbursts by people quoting the tired old anti cannabis propaganda should be classed as fake news and removed

 

No, it's important that misinformation in this case, is countered with science.

It's also important that we users are mature in recognising everything has a down side, and weed is not for everyone.

Having said that, I find the hysteria around genuine mental health risks hilarious.

If I came to learn that cannabis was detrimental to my mental health, well I would simply not partake!

They go off as if these unfortunate people are being held down and force fed the drug! 

Same with kids, just keep it out of their hands, punish severely anyone who supplies minors, and don't panic if a child consumes active THC edibles they may throw up, they may be distressed at feeling stoned, but they will not become addicted or otherwise harmed by an accidental intake (raw weed is inactive one will never get stoned no matter how much is consumed).

Just RELAAAAXXXX the sky isn't going to fall.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

If you've never smoked it don't try it now

He is either very clever or very silly with that statement, because telling people not to do something usually has the opposite effect.  

1 hour ago, cyril sneer said:

100 baht at my local 

There will definitely be some tidy profit made selling good bud and by-products to discerning tourists, but for the most part, weed will be as cheap as rice in most Thai markets.

 

Unlike rice, many locals will grow their own because each strain has specific qualities, and even back in the day, there were grower videos in Thai on you tube that were very good advice. So home grower education will explode. The Thai people know a thing or two about getting the best from the land as it is.

In so many ways, decriminalising weed will be seen as a watershed moment in Thai history.

I can't think of a single better move to boost tourism, than promoting the stoner culture right now.

There will be challenges ahead, it's not all wine and roses, but, there's almost no other single thing they could do to recover the tourist economy, than go easy on tourists who come here to enjoy good weed and everything that goes along with it, in peace.

Personally, I think that's actually good advice.  Although, could have added, if you have health issues, or self medicating your stress, trials & tribulations with some other stimulant (alcohol) you may want to give ganga a try ... ????

 

As an alternative

 

2 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Asean now have promoted many "reefer madness"  type stories on here, yet, somewhat perversely have also  started an informative "cannabis forum"  I wonder why

Misinformed outbursts by people quoting the tired old anti cannabis propaganda should be classed as fake news and removed

 

We're just showing what is going on in the Thai press and invariably warning about misinformation.

 

Rooster

5 minutes ago, BostonRob2 said:

We're just showing what is going on in the Thai press and invariably warning about misinformation.

 

Rooster

Over the past 4 years, all I have read is misinformation 

And his colleague khun A.. nu...t...in said:

 

you have never smoked weed before, no ploplem, do it now.
Make me velly rich.

 

Alone by looking at that picture I feel the irresistible urge of having a big, fat joint.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's authorities continued to show that they had not fully thought through

Mmmmm, really...??? 

4 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

100 baht at my local 

I have both on my dresser a high grade 700 baht skunk and compressed rubbish 100 baht. 

Anybody want the 100 baht <deleted>? 

It will be interesting to see how long  before people are arrested for DUI POT also Thai school students already are behind the 8 ball imagine what it is going to be like when they start smoking  weed.

 

Personally my advice is until they get things str8 do it at home in the privacy of your house.  

 

BUT i am confused is Shisha less harmful that weed and if so it is funny that you can be arrested for shisha but they are going to let people smoke Pot

 

but then again TIT

 

 

4 hours ago, Henryford said:

The Government spend weeks promoting weed and then say don't smoke it duh!

That's because they can make more money if you eat it. In candy or milkshakes or cakes your choice but don't smoke it.

18 minutes ago, whereyougo said:

I have both on my dresser a high grade 700 baht skunk and compressed rubbish 100 baht. 

Anybody want the 100 baht <deleted>? 

Yeah, agree, the high grade <deleted> ain't gonna be sold for 100 THb