Thai government considers recriminalising cannabis

[webfact]

 

Thai Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew conveyed his apprehension about the general public’s disagreement with the Pheu Thai Party’s plan to criminalise cannabis once again.

 

This apprehension arose following Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent interview with France 24, a French state-owned news channel, where he revealed the government’s intent to control cannabis use, which has been decriminalised since 2022.

 

In the interview, PM Srettha alluded to the negative impact of cannabis legalisation on the Thai economy. Many interpreted this as his support for reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic.

Cholnan provided clarification for the Bangkok-born PM’s statement.

“The premier’s perspective is based on the government’s clear statement in parliament that cannabis will only be used for medical purposes, with implications for the economy.”

 

Presently, only products with more than 0.2% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol – the primary psychoactive component of cannabis) by weight are deemed illegal.

 

To reclassify cannabis as an illegal substance, the public health ministerial announcement would need to be revamped. This could have far-reaching consequences, as it would necessitate clearing the deck considering the existing ministerial regulations.

 

Non-medical cannabis

 

Cholnan clarified that the non-medical use of the plant’s flower buds and cannabis extract, which contain a high degree of THC, is illegal. Cultivating cannabis requires official permission.

 

He noted that consumption of the buds for recreational purposes violates the law. He added that cannabis dispensaries offering cannabis for recreational use could potentially be violating the cannabis regulations, despite being protected under the Thai traditional medicine law.

 

The ministry has already prepared a draft law regarding cannabis control, which is currently under the consideration of the Council of State, the government’s legal arm. After this, it will be submitted to parliament.

 

“The decisions about cannabis ultimately rest with the premier.”

 

In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin urged the government to hasten the process of issuing the cannabis control law, as the law governing kratom plants is already in effect.

 

Somsak attended a meeting with relevant agencies on Monday to discuss kratom and other medicinal herbs, which collectively contribute up to four billion baht per year to the economy on average.

 

However, he estimated that the economic gains could increase to tens of billions of baht if the law on cannabis control is passed.

 

While the cannabis law, expected to be presented to parliament for review after being accepted in its initial reading soon, is not yet in force, the use of the plant for medical purposes is facilitated by public health regulations and the medicinal herb law, reported Bangkok Post.

 

However, Somsak pointed out that these laws do not adequately cover all cannabis use cases.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-03

 

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[bob smith]

the blind leading the blind.

 

bob.

[jollyhangmon]

31 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, he estimated that the economic gains could increase to tens of billions of baht if the law on cannabis control is passed.

 

... huh? Increase from what? From now a.k.a. from the current situation ...? Really, how so??

 

That 'logic' is kinda weird AF to say the very least - but therefore also fits the bigger picture just perfectly, lol ...

 

[bamnutsak]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“The decisions about cannabis ultimately rest with the premier.”

 

OK, now this is confusing.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He noted that consumption of the buds for recreational purposes violates the law.

 

Which law?

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He added that cannabis dispensaries offering cannabis for recreational use could potentially be violating the cannabis regulations

 

"Potentially"?

 

 

Minister Chonlan seems confused.

[ABCDBKK]

Double, triple, quadruple talk. Clear as mud and as useful as a Bob Smith post.
 

They really have no clue what they are doing. As soon as they put some new and inefficient law in place they will have no idea how to even enforce it.

 

It's all so senseless. Just more of the blind trying to push around a paraplegic in a wheel chair. 

[freeworld]

8 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

Which law?

This is what medicinal cannabis law is intended.

 

Casual use of cannabis is still illegal.

 

''Laws

The possession, cultivation, sale, and use of cannabis was criminalised by the Cannabis Act 2477 BE (1935)[8] and again by the Narcotics Act 2522 BE (1979).[9]

In 2018, Thailand became the first Asian nation to legalize medical cannabis.[10][11]

Although medicinal cannabis was decriminalised, consumption, in particular smoking or vaping in public places is still subject to punishment under the Public Health Act 2535 BE (1992) as a public nuisance infraction and can lead to a 25,000 Baht fine.[12][13][14]

Cannabis dispensaries were available as early as April 2022.[15]

On 9 June 2022, cannabis extracts containing less than 0.2% THC, referred to as industrial hemp, was decriminalised.

Medicinal cannabis, with no THC restrictions, was made legal in 2018 but required patients to obtain a prescription from a medical practitioner.

Recreational cannabis, often referred to as marijuana, is still illegal according to Thai law.[citation needed] Cannabis extracts and cannabis products (including edibles, food supplements, cosmetics, etc.) containing more than 0.2% THC by dry weight are still categorised as a Category 5 narcotic''

 

[ABCDBKK]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

In the interview, PM Srettha alluded to the negative impact of cannabis legalisation on the Thai economy.

According to Bloomberg, cannabis has become a $1.2 billion industry in Thailand, ever since cannabis flowers were decriminalized in 2022. How has this a negative thing for the Thai economy?

[Denim]

Well, at least they are giving mulling a rest.  Grateful for small mercies.

[ABCDBKK]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, he estimated that the economic gains could increase to tens of billions of baht if the law on cannabis control is passed.

How does re-criminalizing cannabis flowers result in economic gains that are worth tens of billions of baht? You mean that they start fining 10 million people 60,000 Baht each for smoking a joint at home?

[ABCDBKK]

1 hour ago, bob smith said:

the blind leading the blind.

 

bob.

I think I've heard about this phenomenon before. Are you talking about mice Bob? And, if so, how many?

[bob smith]

1 minute ago, ABCDBKK said:

I think I've heard about this phenomenon before. Are you talking about mice Bob? And, if so, how many?

don't talk to me.

 

bob.

[ABCDBKK]

12 minutes ago, bob smith said:

don't talk to me.

 

bob.

Oh Bobby-Baby, I love when you talk to me like that. 😘❤️

[WHansen]

It is already illegal to sell weed with more than 0.2% THC, has been since it was decrim'd a couple of years ago. They were very clear about that. Those that invested heavily in bud that was illegal to sell for recreational use are now whining that they are going to lose money

[Bert got kinky]

4 minutes ago, WHansen said:

It is already illegal to sell weed with more than 0.2% THC, has been since it was decrim'd a couple of years ago. They were very clear about that. Those that invested heavily in bud that was illegal to sell for recreational use are now whining that they are going to lose money

It is already illegal to sell weed with more than 0.2% THC

No it is not, it is illegal to sell extracts with more than 0.2% THC but the flower/bud was not classed as an extract.

 

They were very clear about that.

No they were not, they were not clear on any of it, which is why nobody understands the current situation.

 

 

[ABCDBKK]

13 minutes ago, WHansen said:

It is already illegal to sell weed with more than 0.2% THC, has been since it was decrim'd a couple of years ago. They were very clear about that. Those that invested heavily in bud that was illegal to sell for recreational use are now whining that they are going to lose money

It has been illegal to sell cannabis extract products with more than 0.2% THC for decades. That hasn't changed. But in June of 2022 they decriminalized cannabis flowers, which was previously a class 5 narcotic. There are also no laws limiting the amount or percentage of THC in cannabis flowers. 

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

However, he estimated that the economic gains could increase to tens of billions of baht [....] if the law on cannabis control is passed.

However, he estimated that the personal gains could increase to tens of billions of baht [in a few people's pockets] if the law on cannabis control is passed.

Edited April 3 by dinsdale

[bokningar]

1 hour ago, ABCDBKK said:

Oh Bobby-Baby, I love when you talk to me like that. 😘❤️

At an average of around 6 posts a day snice July 2022 it must be a AI or seriously need to get a life (hard for an AI 555). Just put on ignore list, I have.

[impulse]

2 hours ago, ABCDBKK said:

According to Bloomberg, cannabis has become a $1.2 billion industry in Thailand, ever since cannabis flowers were decriminalized in 2022. How has this a negative thing for the Thai economy?

 

How much has it cut back on beer and Hong Thong sales?  'Cause you don't want to fall afoul of those families.

 

[Andycoops]

4 hours ago, bob smith said:

the blind leading the blind.

 

bob.

More like the stoned leading the stoned... 555

[bamnutsak]

2 hours ago, WHansen said:

It is already illegal to sell weed with more than 0.2% THC, has been since it was decrim'd a couple of years ago.

 

No. It is not.

 

No clue why a few people keep repeating this mantra.

 

 

Cannabis flower, regardless of THC content, was removed from the Narcotics list on 9 June 2022. No further stipulations were added, other than those regarding licenses to grow and sell, limitations (20 YO, pregnant), public use, no sales via vending machines, and a few others.

 

It is legal to produce (with a license), sell (with a license), possess (over 20 YO, etc.), and consume.

 

 

[MrPancake]

What a sh!tshow 😄

[Gottfrid]

Good

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, bob smith said:

the blind leading the blind.

 

bob.

What a complete and utter mess... all instigated by Anutin