Thailand’s Legalization of Cannabis Sparks Health Concerns, Confusion

[webfact]

Jars of dried and cured cannabis buds sit on display at the Chopaka cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand.

 

by Zsombor Peter

 

BANGKOK — Thailand is facing wide criticism for legalizing cannabis before putting sturdy guardrails against its abuse in place, and doubts the authorities can do much to stem a likely rise in its recreational use.

 

Marking a first for Asia, Thailand pulled cannabis from its list of narcotics on June 9, making its import, export, production, distribution, consumption and possession legal. Anyone can now grow the plant at home, after registering with the government via a mobile app, though commercial growers still need to apply for permits.

 

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who championed the plan, has tried to dissuade people from lighting up for fun, stressing the plant’s medical virtues and its potential as a cash crop. His ministry warns that anyone smoking cannabis in public can still be charged with causing a “nuisance,” fined $704 and spend up to three months in jail.

 

"Problems occur due to the abuse of cannabis. This is not the aim of liberalizing the use of the plant. We want to promote medical use and boost the income of growers,” Anutin told reporters last week.

 

But others in the government, and in his own ministry, say the move may be premature.

 

Full story: https://www.voanews.com/a/thailand-s-legalization-of-cannabis-sparks-health-concerns-confusion/6627940.html

 

-- © Copyright VOICE OF AMERICA 2022-06-23

 

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[Will B Good]

....and these cowboys are buying advanced fighter aircraft, submarines, high speed trains and intend conquering space......I laughed so much a bit nearly popped out.

[khwaibah]

[marin]

19 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

....and these cowboys are buying advanced fighter aircraft, submarines, high speed trains and intend conquering space......I laughed so much a bit nearly popped out.

Exactly my thoughts Will. How many years now of total incompetence?

[bigupandchill]

I wonder how certain governments will view allowing their citizens to travel to a country where weed is legal and openly available?

Edited June 23, 2022 by bigupandchill

[Excel]

31 minutes ago, bigupandchill said:

I wonder how certain governments will view allowing their citizens to travel to a country where weed is legal and openly available?

I expect those countries, if they exist at all, have already made block bookings for all government members to spend 2 weeks in Thailand to assess the ease of purchase and quality of the product so that they can advise their citizens accordingly of the situation. ????

Edited June 23, 2022 by Excel

[jak2002003]

At first I was pleased and though it was a good idea....or at least no big deal.  I kept being told it was harmless, actually good for your health and mind.  I read it was healthy and smoking it did not cause lung cancer like nicotine.  I read it was not addictive.  So all seemed ok.

 

That was until I saw lots of people smoking the stuff.  Someone passed out and hurt their head quite badly on a concrete table.  Someone else another time was spaced out and seemed drunk then went to drive home on their scooter, nearly colliding with a truck, which the other pot smokers thought was funny.  

 

So now I am not so happy about it.  I was tempted to try the stuff for myself, but not now. I can see it getting out of control quickly, especially as people seem to be mixing consuming / smoking it with alcohol. 

 

Edited June 23, 2022 by jak2002003

[engamann]

38 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

....and these cowboys are buying advanced fighter aircraft, submarines, high speed trains and intend conquering space......I laughed so much a bit nearly popped out.

Aircraft whit no weapons , submarines whit no engine and trains whit no tracks , just another day in Thailand.

[James105]

9 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

At first I was pleased and though it was a good idea....or at least no big deal.  I kept being told it was harmless, actually good for your health and mind.  I read it was healthy and smoking it did not cause lung cancer like nicotine.  I read it was not addictive.  So all seemed ok.

 

That was until I saw lots of people smoking the stuff.  Someone passed out and hurt their head quite badly on a concrete table.  Someone else another time was spaced out and seemed drunk then went to drive home on their scooter, nearly colliding with a truck, which the other pot smokers thought was funny.  

 

So now I am not so happy about it.  I was tempted to try the stuff for myself, but not now. I can see it getting out of control quickly, especially as people seem to be mixing consuming / smoking it with alcohol. 

 

I dabble in the odd joint on occasion, but not often.   I've tried it over here since its been legalised, choosing the absolute weakest available on the menu, just as I would do in Amsterdam some years ago.   The stuff in Amsterdam would get me a happy buzz, giggles etc but not even close to the point where I would lose control.   The weakest stuff over here though has got me completely stoned after just smoking a 1/4 of the joint and I am grateful I didn't try it until I was at home.    

 

I'm not surprised people are passing out and I won't be trying it again here unless I find somewhere that offers the same as a typical Amsterdam cafe from someone who actually knows what they are selling.

[MrMuddle]

So the voice of america is unhappy with Thailand? Who cares? Just another cannabis clickbait post.

[Jerno]

44 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

At first I was pleased and though it was a good idea....or at least no big deal.  I kept being told it was harmless, actually good for your health and mind.  I read it was healthy and smoking it did not cause lung cancer like nicotine.  I read it was not addictive.  So all seemed ok.

 

That was until I saw lots of people smoking the stuff.  Someone passed out and hurt their head quite badly on a concrete table.  Someone else another time was spaced out and seemed drunk then went to drive home on their scooter, nearly colliding with a truck, which the other pot smokers thought was funny.  

 

So now I am not so happy about it.  I was tempted to try the stuff for myself, but not now. I can see it getting out of control quickly, especially as people seem to be mixing consuming / smoking it with alcohol. 

 

Yes and same doom and gloom and nay sayers spouted horror incidents would ensue when Canada legalized recreational cannabis.  2.5 years later now, crime rate hasn't risen, auto accidents actually went down in number and cannabis related charges by police are very very few.  The biggest social experiment in the Country's history was a success, not the opposite as too many "experts" or fear mongers predicted.  Too afraid to try cannabis?  Puh-lee-zz ! Don't be a <deleted>. 

[marin]

1 hour ago, bigupandchill said:

I wonder how certain governments will view allowing their citizens to travel to a country where weed is legal and openly available?

Edited 1 hour ago by bigupandchill

Give me a break. "Citizens you are not allowed to go here". ???? Countries that have legalized recreational use of cannabis are Canada, Georgia, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, and Uruguay, plus 19 states, 2 territories, and the District of Columbia in the United States. (wiki)

 

Edited June 23, 2022 by marin

[whereyougo]

1 hour ago, jak2002003 said:

At first I was pleased and though it was a good idea....or at least no big deal.  I kept being told it was harmless, actually good for your health and mind.  I read it was healthy and smoking it did not cause lung cancer like nicotine.  I read it was not addictive.  So all seemed ok.

 

That was until I saw lots of people smoking the stuff.  Someone passed out and hurt their head quite badly on a concrete table.  Someone else another time was spaced out and seemed drunk then went to drive home on their scooter, nearly colliding with a truck, which the other pot smokers thought was funny.  

 

So now I am not so happy about it.  I was tempted to try the stuff for myself, but not now. I can see it getting out of control quickly, especially as people seem to be mixing consuming / smoking it with alcohol. 

 

What you saw was thais smoking Marlborough and passed out from Lao kaho. Thais been smoking weed for a hundred years. 

Please no more drama queening

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, bigupandchill said:

I wonder how certain governments will view allowing their citizens to travel to a country where weed is legal and openly available?

So America and Canada are off the holiday list then.

[2baht]

2 hours ago, marin said:

How many years now of total incompetence?

Hard to measure in years, generations is more to the point.

[jak2002003]

46 minutes ago, whereyougo said:

What you saw was thais smoking Marlborough and passed out from Lao kaho. Thais been smoking weed for a hundred years. 

Please no more drama queening

No. Actually the personn who passed out was a 50 ish year farang who had only had 2 beers.  

 

I dont know how you presume you have know what I have seen with my own eyes.

 

No drama queening. It was fact. 

 

 

[2baht]

5 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

Actually the personn who passed out was a 50 ish year farang who had only had 2 beers.  

Only 2 beers to pass out, now I'm more convinced than ever to leave beer alone! ????

 

 

Edited June 23, 2022 by 2baht

[vinci]

these day everybody is talking about Cannabis, its just the hype for the moment it will die down soon enough 

[jak2002003]

1 hour ago, Jerno said:

Yes and same doom and gloom and nay sayers spouted horror incidents would ensue when Canada legalized recreational cannabis.  2.5 years later now, crime rate hasn't risen, auto accidents actually went down in number and cannabis related charges by police are very very few.  The biggest social experiment in the Country's history was a success, not the opposite as too many "experts" or fear mongers predicted.  Too afraid to try cannabis?  Puh-lee-zz ! Don't be a <deleted>. 

I would say there is a big difference in responsibility between the government, police and general public in Canada compared to Thailand.

 

I have lived here for 15 years full time and know that some thai people smoke weed.   But it's only the last few weeks that I have noticed a massive increase in it.  At the local places I go to there were rarely anyone smoking weed. Now most people are!  

 

Perhaps that will change once the novelty wears off.

 

I am not afraid to smoke weed. Have done so in past on a few occasions.  Shows your lack of maturity when you insult people and belittle them of they don't want to use drugs.  

 

 

 

 

[John Drake]

Nothing gets elderly potheads out of joint like questioning the wisdom of their weed habit.

[starky]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

Nothing gets elderly potheads out of joint like questioning the wisdom of their weed habit.

Boom boom

[Will B Good]

6 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

I read it was healthy and smoking it did not cause lung cancer like nicotine.

At the risk of sounding naive ......don't you smoke it mixed in with tobacco......(pretty sure it is not nicotine that causes cancer.....but that is by the by). 

[Thingamabob]

9 hours ago, bigupandchill said:

I wonder how certain governments will view allowing their citizens to travel to a country where weed is legal and openly available?

As in the USA and Holland, to name but two.

Edited June 23, 2022 by Thingamabob

[kiteman9]

10 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

 I was pleased and though it was a good idea....

 

 You sound like you definitely need to stay away from cannabis.