Pot industry pushes back against draft law that would put an end to Thailand’s cannabis revolution

[webfact]

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left), leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, the architect of the runaway cannabis revolution from June 2022. (right) Minister of Public Health Dr Cholnan Srikaew is the former Pheu Thai Party leader. At this time, he is tasked with regulating the situation by law. Both were party to talks in July/ August 2023, leading to the formation of the current coalition government.

Thailand’s Cannabis Clash: Industry rebels against Pheu Thai’s efforts to frame a new law on cannabis. What some see as an effort at preserving public health, others see as a draconian law threatening to put an end to the Pot revolution. Minister Cholnan appeared this week to do a U-Turn. It may lead to political tensions as Bhumjaithai’s legacy hangs in the balance. Tourism, health, and political interests collide as a new legal regime is thrashed out.

The cannabis industry is pushing back at Pheu Thai’s efforts to again criminalise the drug for recreational purposes. This week, Minister of Public Health Dr Cholnan Srikaew was forced to clarify that a hardline draft bill signed by him was not final. The minister said it was a draft position prepared by his industry for the Prime Minister’s Office. However, the final law to be presented to parliament would, first of all, be agreed by the cabinet. The bill, which is to be treated as financial legislation, therefore has become one of political importance. In view of the contrast between the policies of the Pheu Thai Party and its coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, the issue has the potential to become as politically divisive as it is within society.

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left), leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, the architect of the runaway cannabis revolution from June 2022. (right) Minister of Public Health Dr Cholnan Srikaew is the former Pheu Thai Party leader. At this time, he is tasked with regulating the situation by law. Both were party to talks in July/ August 2023, leading to the formation of the current coalition government.

 

Facing pressure last week after showing his hand with his intention to curb the recreational use of marijuana, Minister of Public Health Dr Cholnan Srikaew clarified that what he had signed was a note to the Prime Minister’s Office outlining his ministry’s position on the issue.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2024-01-15

 

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[smedly]

Thailand has enough to deal with regarding alcohol - it does not need another drug rampaging society, excessive use of weed has been shown to cause long term brain damage - many studies have shown this

[lexxy]

6 minutes ago, smedly said:

Thailand has enough to deal with regarding alcohol - it does not need another drug rampaging society, excessive use of weed has been shown to cause long term brain damage - many studies have shown this

 

No word, insight or consideration for the benefits of medical marijuana?  - many studies have shown this.

 

 

[smedly]

1 hour ago, lexxy said:

 

No word, insight or consideration for the benefits of medical marijuana?  - many studies have shown this.

 

 

medical use might be ok, the benefits outweigh the risks/side effects as with many mainstream medications

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, lexxy said:

 

No word, insight or consideration for the benefits of medical marijuana?  - many studies have shown this.

 

 

Medical use will  still be okay here. But we need to be honest, far more in the news of bad goings on caused by alcohol, and also very much by the illegal drugs. 

[Gknrd]

And 2030, to increase the tourist numbers  current Thai government has legalized opium. Spurring and increase of tourists in the "Golden Triangle"  TAT says a win win for Thailand.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The bill, which is to be treated as financial legislation, therefore has become one of political importance. In view of the contrast between the policies of the Pheu Thai Party and its coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, the issue has the potential to become as politically divisive as it is within society.

So the health minister sees the social issue with public miss-use of the drug, and Bhumjaithai party led by Anutin only care about the profits?

[stoner]

i did point out that it was only the ministries views. 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, lexxy said:

 

No word, insight or consideration for the benefits of medical marijuana?  - many studies have shown this.

 

 

Please don't even reply to such an inane comment, the man is obviously very uneducated and knows nothing about cannabis. 

[Moonfire]

2 hours ago, smedly said:

Thailand has enough to deal with regarding alcohol - it does not need another drug rampaging society, excessive use of weed has been shown to cause long term brain damage - many studies have shown this

Well, don't cherry-pick.....and be a hypocrite.... all of nothing LOL 

 

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[spidermike007]

They should fight these changes with everything they have, the people who have invested a fortune into these stores and cannabis related businesses depend on the government to support them and the last thing they need right now is a flip-flop and a restart of the war on recreational drugs, which is a ridiculous pursuit on the part of any government. They should hire lobbyists, they should pay off senators, they should do whatever they need to do to make sure no changes take place with this law. 

[herfiehandbag]

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

They should fight these changes with everything they have, the people who have invested a fortune into these stores and cannabis related businesses depend on the government to support them and the last thing they need right now is a flip-flop and a restart of the war on recreational drugs, which is a ridiculous pursuit on the part of any government. They should hire lobbyists, they should pay off senators, they should do whatever they need to do to make sure no changes take place with this law. 

Says the poster who regularly urges that the families of senators should be hounded for being in the pay of various interests...

[JBChiangRai]

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

They should fight these changes with everything they have, the people who have invested a fortune into these stores and cannabis related businesses depend on the government to support them and the last thing they need right now is a flip-flop and a restart of the war on recreational drugs, which is a ridiculous pursuit on the part of any government. They should hire lobbyists, they should pay off senators, they should do whatever they need to do to make sure no changes take place with this law. 

 

 

I completely disagree, right from the getgo the proponent of legalizing cannabis (Anutin) said recreational use was not allowed.  If someone was stupid enough to invest their money opening a weed shop with recreational cannabis as their target market then they deserve everything that’s coming.
 

Medicinal cannabis may have some benefits but recreational cannabis just causes problems across society.

 

[wombat]

12 minutes ago, stoner said:

i did point out that it was only the ministries views. 

These guys are so conditioned in their views the truth is irrelevant once they've been triggered.

[Colabamumbai]

Keep burning the weed. 

[ignore it]

[Classic Ray]

2 hours ago, smedly said:

Thailand has enough to deal with regarding alcohol - it does not need another drug rampaging society, excessive use of weed has been shown to cause long term brain damage - many studies have shown this

Please quote these studies. Other posters have pointed out the dangers of smoking and alcohol consumption, both protected by a government that for tobacco operates a monopoly and for alcohol is proposing a lowering of tax rates to increase consumption. Hypocritical? But of course they make a lot of taxation revenue from both of these.

[Zack61]

The genie is out of the bottle and now they are trying to put it back. 
If we are going to be honest with the situation we have to admit the current laws were passed without a lot of thought of consequences. Whilst I love a puff as much as the next guy I do concede the current situation is only going to lead to more pain for many in the form of irresponsible use and behaviour leading to more road deaths and accidents as well as other long term health affects from blatant abuse of the stuff. 
I do believe in the up side regarding health benefits but getting stoned and then getting behind the wheel or handle bars is not a health benefit for anyone. I gave it up 5 years ago after smoking it for 40 years and I can’t say I regret it. My memory was being f##ked over and I was doing some silly things. 
I appreciate the investment ploughed into the grass business but I do believe the current laws need to be amended to at least try to protect innocent lives that may be inadvertently affected by some irresponsible users. These laws were passed in haste for political and financial advantage and now need to be reconsidered. 

[Shocked farang]

19 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

 

I completely disagree, right from the getgo the proponent of legalizing cannabis (Anutin) said recreational use was not allowed.  If someone was stupid enough to invest their money opening a weed shop with recreational cannabis as their target market then they deserve everything that’s coming.
 

Medicinal cannabis may have some benefits but recreational cannabis just causes problems across society.

 

There is a YouTuber who interviewed a cannabis store owner (a big shop on Sukhunwit Rd) and this guy claims

that he's totally prepared for what is coming as next to the shop he has a clinic that will employ many Thai traditional medicine doctors who will be able to issue prescriptions for any recreational customer who needs one! Brilliant!!!

[Shocked farang]

18 minutes ago, ignore it said:

Smoking pot can lead you to...becoming a pot head...LOL

[Expat Tom]

If you don't like the law in Thailand never fear, it will change is 15 minutes. OMG. 

[Denim]

3 hours ago, smedly said:

Thailand has enough to deal with regarding alcohol - it does not need another drug rampaging society, excessive use of weed has been shown to cause long term brain damage - many studies have shown this

Are you speaking from personal experience ? 

[OneMoreFarang]

Did anybody conduct any studies before cannabis was legalized in Thailand?

What were the expectations?

And now, did anybody follow up and compare the expectations with reality?

Did it all go according to plan? What went wrong? And why did it go wrong?

 

Or was there never any study and some politicians just decided that they can make money by legalizing it?

And now some other politicians want to make it illegal again for whatever personal reasons?

 

Personally I see possible good and bad sides. Decisions should be made based on what is good for Thai society. 

[stoner]

12 minutes ago, Shocked farang said:

Smoking pot can lead you to...becoming a pot head...LOL

 

stop it. way to early for amazing comments. 

[nobodysfriend]

3 hours ago, smedly said:

excessive use of weed has been shown to cause long term brain damage - many studies have shown this

 

Not using it causes brain damage as well .

Many people show signs of this .

 

Anyway . living in Thailand , one is used to constant U-turns ...

0,2 mg of THC is allowed ... I wonder how the police will check this without having it examined by a lab first ...

Cannabis was always present in Thailand and will be in the future , only it has been legalized now .

This reduced legal procedures only , and let the police focus on other things .

The legalization did not cause an unprecedented upswing in crimes etc . it only caused cannabis shops to appear everywhere .

That harmed nobody .

 

Only led to a more liberal society ... If criminalize it again . the next elections will show if the Thai people really appreciate this ....

A shot in the own foot of the politicians .

 

I have to go now and cure my brain damage with a ( mild ) Ganja tea now ... good morning everybody , peace and love ...

 

[JBChiangRai]

6 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Did anybody conduct any studies before cannabis was legalized in Thailand?

What were the expectations?

And now, did anybody follow up and compare the expectations with reality?

Did it all go according to plan? What went wrong? And why did it go wrong?

 

Or was there never any study and some politicians just decided that they can make money by legalizing it?

And now some other politicians want to make it illegal again for whatever personal reasons?

 

Personally I see possible good and bad sides. Decisions should be made based on what is good for Thai society. 

 

If we are to believe Anutin, his expectation was for the market to be medical cannabis and not recreational cannabis.

 

You don't need a study to see that the reverse happened, expectation and reality couldn't be more different.

 

IMHO, it's nothing less than you can expect from the "quality" politicians we have in Thailand.

[Dr Jon]

Psychosis, schizophrenia, cancer, birth defects... what's not to like?

[JBChiangRai]

 

 

[Pouatchee]

bullsh!t reporting once again. ands just how is the weed industry pushing back?   that is the title of the article after all but no mention of what they are doing. i even read the full length article... very unclear

[stoner]

4 hours ago, Dr Jon said:

Psychosis, schizophrenia, cancer, birth defects... what's not to like?

 

you have any links to go along with all this ?