Health Ministry Reaffirms Stance Discouraging Recreational Cannabis

[webfact]

 

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - Health authorities are reiterating they are only supporting medical uses of cannabis and do not sanction recreational use. The health minister says cannabis has medical benefits, similar to other Thai herbs that have now been recognized internationally.

 

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated the government’s cannabis policy, saying his ministry supports the correct and safe use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. He stressed that recreational use of cannabis has never been encouraged, with an announcement by the Ministry of Health recently prohibiting misuse.

 

One of the targets of the 20-year national strategy is to elevate the use of Thai herbal products. This is being pursued with the aim of making Thailand a regional leader in herbal health products.

 

Sustained growth is expected to help transform Thailand into a regional center for herbal innovations. Mr Anutin said Thailand is expected to generate almost 50 billion baht in revenue from medicinal herbal products this year.

 

Dr Prapon Tangsrikertikul, a vice minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, visited Nakornping hospital in Chiang Mai to check the performance of the hospital’s cannabis clinic.

 

He noted that the declassification of cannabis as a narcotic creates more opportunities for researching the medical applications of the herb. He added that medical cannabis use has increased after the declassification, especially in traditional Thai medicine practices.

 

Dr Prapon, who is also an advisor to the health minister, said there are three stages to Chiang Mai’s 2022 medical cannabis promotion plan.

 

The initial stage involves developing connectivity and networks between cannabis and hemp growers via a learning center for medical cannabis cultivation, while the next concerns the promotion of cannabis restaurants that meet quality and safety standards.

 

The third stage covers the opening of medical cannabis clinics in the four pilot districts of Saraphi, San Patong, Mae Wang and Hot.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-07-08

 

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[RichardColeman]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

One of the targets of the 20-year national strategy is to elevate the use of Thai herbal products.

be a good committee to get on - job for 20 years

[starky]

18 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

be a good committee to get on - job for 20 years

Be better if we could get a committee on the bong.

[Rhys]

The Stoked DPM or MOPH does it again.  PRN...

[Troy Tempest]

Is it just me or has Anutin been looking more relaxed lately?

 

[Enzian]

Here’s Anutin speaking about the change in law to the FCCT last Wednesday night. He said then, if my memory serves me right, that the point was health and not recreation. Wink wink, nudge nudge? The woman on the right complained that some weed being sold was imported, and we don’t know what pesticides or other chemicals were used, and she was concerned for her children. And actually a street vendor a couple of days ago told me straight out that half the jars he had set out were from California. FWIW I guess I’m in favor of the change though I don’t partake. So there’s a lot of wrinkles to work out, like with other grey areas in this society.

 

[thaitom]

Question,  is it legal to send weed in the mail now ?  Example : from the USA ?  I would think not.

[JonnyF]

It's really difficult to differentiate between medicinal use and recreational use. For example, if I smoke a bowl to relax and help me sleep (as I 'may' have done last night) is that medicinal?

 

They need to clarify the laws and then shut up about it IMO. It would have been better if they'd clarified the laws before 'legalizing' it but then we have to remember where we are, and who the 'government' is made up of.

[connda]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Health authorities are reiterating they are only supporting medical uses of cannabis and do not sanction recreational use.

But they will benefit by tourist coming for recreational use, as well as medical use.
They don't have to 'condone' it, just don't criminalize it.  It can be a major tourist draw for a certain segment of tourists.  It's a win-win situation.  Just let it go.  You'll essentially have Pai nationwide. 

"But we want rich well heeled tourists."

Take some classes in economics.  That lower class in sufficient numbers offsets the spending power of the rich class as they frequent different merchants.  Money gets spread around more equitably.

If the idiots decide to walk down the street with a joint - fine them 2000 THB just like smoking a cigarette.

[bangon04]

"expected to help transform Thailand into a regional center for herbal innovations. Mr Anutin said"

 

"regional center"  -  is this better than a "Hub" ??  or a lower status?

[freedomnow]

4 hours ago, thaitom said:

Question,  is it legal to send weed in the mail now ?  Example : from the USA ?  I would think not.

I'd wait to be on the safe side till the add-on rules are published.

 

Never set yourself up to be put over a barrel by someone in officialdom.

[Bday Prang]

7 hours ago, thaitom said:

Question,  is it legal to send weed in the mail now ?  Example : from the USA ?  I would think not.

Are you crazy ! that Thai woman said we just don't know if it contains  pesticide she's scared for her children too for gods sake man   Nah they don't want anybody getting in on the act I'm sure "unofficial" importing is frowned on currently, My guess is it would just not arrive  but then again if you did get a " visit" you can't help what  (other) people post to you can you? just try not to leave a "paper trail" 

but then again  why bother its all over the place here bit like taking oil to saudi arabia

[Bkk Brian]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

He stressed that recreational use of cannabis has never been encouraged, with an announcement by the Ministry of Health recently prohibiting misuse.

Cats out the bag, even the police have no clue

[BangkokReady]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Health authorities are reiterating they are only supporting medical uses of cannabis and do not sanction recreational use.

Do they have any power to do so?

[Lucky Bones]

14 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

be a good committee to get on - job for 20 years

20 years. 

Just waiting.

[hotchilli]

On 7/11/2022 at 3:57 AM, webfact said:

Health authorities are reiterating they are only supporting medical uses of cannabis and do not sanction recreational use.

No sh#t?