Thai cannabis network concerned over govt’s move to criminalize marijuana

[webfact]

On April 4th, 2024, Mr. Prasitchai Nunual, the secretary-general of the Network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis, publicly stated his concerns over bringing marijuana back into an illicit substance type by the Thai government.

 

Prasitchai voiced his opinion regarding the change in cannabis policy that criminalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes while being lenient on carrying five pills of amphetamine and amending alcohol control bills.

 

The network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis previously petitioned the Thai Ministry of Public Health to publicize factual comparisons between marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and amphetamines with scientific information on these four categories to determine control measures accordingly, remarked Prasitchai.

 

However, the Thai government was indifferent to the petition and marked cannabis, medicinal plants, as narcotic substances, and instead lowered restrictions on illicit substances containing chemicals to the public, stated Prasitchai.

 

It could be said that a group of investors could not keep cannabis production under control, claimed Prasitchai. If comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the uses of cannabis and amphetamine, it was clear that cannabis was the safest as it was grown with care and quality materials whether being used for medical aspects or recreational purposes, according to Prasitchai.

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-06

 

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[Bobthegimp]

Poor dopers.  They should just be left alone. 

 

 

[dinsdale]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis previously petitioned the Thai Ministry of Public Health to publicize factual comparisons between marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and amphetamines with scientific information on these four categories to determine control measures accordingly, remarked Prasitchai.

Amphetamines would top the list as the most harmful I guess and dope would come in last on the list. Definig harmful may change the order of the top 3 but whatever the definition dope would still be the least harmful. Apart from this it's been said by the PM that dope is bad for the economy and others in the govt/govt departments about social risks and harms. Absolutely no data presented.

Edited April 6 by dinsdale

[brianthainess]

To many have invested in weed, do you really think they will just roll over and lose millions? 

[ChipButty]

Just in my area alone there has been some serious money invested in shops, which bye the way have been empty for years, so the landlords are finally happy he's getting some rent, no doubt local people have got jobs, Other local business are also benefiting from them as it is bringing more punters in the area.

[Dogmatix]

Not mentioned is the government also effectively decriminalised possession of small quantities of cocaine, heroin and ecstacy at the same time as the 5 speed pills. 

 

Unfortunately Thaksin is the 400 lb gorilla sitting in the corner. He has pulled off a skillful coup after losing the election and now calls the shots.  He has a bee in his bonnet over drugs due to his son's out of control fondness for various high so substances when he was PM. He is no doubt pushing for complete recriminalisation of everything.  Apart from that he is a dead weight damaging the Thai socio economic structure and development.  His cupboard is bare now.  He had some reasonable ideas in the beginning like universal healthcare.  Then came the disastrous rice pledging and now the digital wallet.  A real liability for Thailand.

[Taco]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

Just in my area alone there has been some serious money invested in shops, which bye the way have been empty for years, so the landlords are finally happy he's getting some rent, no doubt local people have got jobs, Other local business are also benefiting from them as it is bringing more punters in the area.

For sure agree on the filling of vacant spaces, raising rents for landlords and an often overlooked fact that in tourist areas in the south like koh Phangan up to 90% of all staff are Burmese, only Thais are legally allowed to sell weed.  Now the lazy Thai stoners can even get jobs. 

[Thingamabob]

6 hours ago, Dogmatix said:

Not mentioned is the government also effectively decriminalised possession of small quantities of cocaine, heroin and ecstacy at the same time as the 5 speed pills. 

 

Unfortunately Thaksin is the 400 lb gorilla sitting in the corner. He has pulled off a skillful coup after losing the election and now calls the shots.  He has a bee in his bonnet over drugs due to his son's out of control fondness for various high so substances when he was PM. He is no doubt pushing for complete recriminalisation of everything.  Apart from that he is a dead weight damaging the Thai socio economic structure and development.  His cupboard is bare now.  He had some reasonable ideas in the beginning like universal healthcare.  Then came the disastrous rice pledging and now the digital wallet.  A real liability for Thailand.

During his tenure as PM Thaksin ordered the killing of over two thousand suspected drug dealers many of whom turned out to be innocent. It was a shameful and utter disgrace, which should have been punished under both Thai and international law.

[Elkski]

I do think the big pharma and the alcohol geoups have been able ro measure the drop in sales.  I inow last xmas time on my trip for 7 weeks i probably consumed 70% less alcohol while in the tourist areas and BKK. And 50% less while in rural areas.  I think a pot high is more compatible with the oddities, frustrations, and craziness of Thailand.   

[Barnet1900]

7 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Just in my area alone there has been some serious money invested in shops, which bye the way have been empty for years, so the landlords are finally happy he's getting some rent, no doubt local people have got jobs, Other local business are also benefiting from them as it is bringing more punters in the area.

Not to mention the chocolate and crisp companies who are earning extra from the munchies.

 

Totally Thai...blame those less likely to fight back.

 

What about the harm alcohol and nicotine make? No chance taking those on so hit the vapes and weed farms.

 

Pathetic 

[bradiston]

9 hours ago, Barnet1900 said:

Not to mention the chocolate and crisp companies who are earning extra from the munchies.

 

Totally Thai...blame those less likely to fight back.

 

What about the harm alcohol and nicotine make? No chance taking those on so hit the vapes and weed farms.

 

Pathetic 

Exactly. The cost to any nation of alcohol related disease, deaths and social mayhem (domestic violence, family breakup, kid's lives destroyed) is almost immeasurable. Same but even worse for yaba. Smack, speed? Hey, nuts I may be. Speed freak I ain't! Get real you idiot politicians. Whose script are you reading from?

[Cabradelmar]

Thailand proves once again to be one of the worse places to invest one's money... Even in the weed biz people (will eventually) lose their money in Thailand. Oh well, there is still prostitution, alcohol and gambling 😂

[Pouatchee]

On 4/6/2024 at 4:21 AM, webfact said:

The network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis previously petitioned the Thai Ministry of Public Health to publicize factual comparisons between marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and amphetamines with scientific information on these four categories to determine control measures accordingly, remarked Prasitchai.

 

This is the smartest request made. However the gvt biggots prolly fear the results if this research were conducted. Meth ok?

[Barnet1900]

15 hours ago, bradiston said:

Exactly. The cost to any nation of alcohol related disease, deaths and social mayhem (domestic violence, family breakup, kid's lives destroyed) is almost immeasurable. Same but even worse for yaba. Smack, speed? Hey, nuts I may be. Speed freak I ain't! Get real you idiot politicians. Whose script are you reading from?

Honestly, I love a toke before bed but I take it to sleep well. How that's a threat or any other effect of weed is beyond me. Driving when stoned sure but you could extend that to say alcohol is also deadly when driving.

 

Banning weed when alcohol and nicotine is allowed to profit the pockets is akin to street vendors being banned for selling junk food yet allowing McDonald's and KFC to continue.

 

It's that bloody idiotic.

[ADog]

3 minutes ago, Barnet1900 said:

Honestly, I love a toke before bed but I take it to sleep well. How that's a threat or any other effect of weed is beyond me. Driving when stoned sure but you could extend that to say alcohol is also deadly when driving.

 

Banning weed when alcohol and nicotine is allowed to profit the pockets is akin to street vendors being banned for selling junk food yet allowing McDonald's and KFC to continue.

 

It's that bloody idiotic.

 

I used to be a heavy cannabis smoker, when it was solids back in the late 80 and 90s ... started smoking it aged 14.

Seen the damage it does to people i.e. 2 now with schizophrenia ... so its not harmless, and that was solids which is nowhere near as strong as modern day weed.

 

Now i'm al for decriminalising, as people want to get high for whatever reason, they always have and always will.

 

But Thailand has seem to have gone from one extreme to the other, with winkers walking around with spliffs everywhere.

 

Decriminalise it for indoors whether that be in the home or an airconditioned room, so the majority of people who dont smoke it, or want to see it ... dont have to!

 

I work in Holland from time to time, and when smoking was still allowed on trains, some Brit thought it clever to light up a spliff ... Within an instant a Cloggy put the ignorant fool in his place.

[Barnet1900]

1 minute ago, ADog said:

 

I used to be a heavy cannabis smoker, when it was solids back in the late 80 and 90s ... started smoking it aged 14.

Seen the damage it does to people i.e. 2 now with schizophrenia ... so its not harmless, and that was solids which is nowhere near as strong as modern day weed.

 

Now i'm al for decriminalising, as people want to get high for whatever reason, they always have and always will.

 

But Thailand has seem to have gone from one extreme to the other, with winkers walking around with spliffs everywhere.

 

Decriminalise it for indoors whether that be in the home or an airconditioned room, so the majority of people who dont smoke it, or want to see it ... dont have to!

 

I work in Holland from time to time, and when smoking was still allowed on trains, some Brit thought it clever to light up a spliff ... Within an instant a Cloggy put the ignorant fool in his place.

I used to smoke solid from 16 to 26. The only damage it did was keep me indoors. I used to get stoned and sleep. Not great which is why I quit.

 

When I stopped I started drinking, smoking fags and doing the things drinkers do best. Get aggressive, wake up hanging and spend the day in a bad mood.

 

In an ideal world we'd all hit the yoga mats and be passive people but in reality humans need a poison of some description and weed does not have anywhere near the levels of health or public damage that alcohol and cigs pose.

 

My point is, that if you're banning weed for health and social reasons you can't let alcohol and nicotine continue.

 

I'm 100pc in agreement with how you describe the way it's exploded onto the streets. They've been given a chance and there are idiots all over Thailand who are exploiting the opportunity. I've bought my stuff from 5 different suppliers and only 1 has delivered quality. 

 

I'd like to see it decriminalised for use at home, and the growers regulated with licences and inspections to ensure it squashes the opportunist scum that are making money from selling crap.

[ADog]

2 minutes ago, Barnet1900 said:

I used to smoke solid from 16 to 26. The only damage it did was keep me indoors. I used to get stoned and sleep. Not great which is why I quit.

 

When I stopped I started drinking, smoking fags and doing the things drinkers do best. Get aggressive, wake up hanging and spend the day in a bad mood.

 

In an ideal world we'd all hit the yoga mats and be passive people but in reality humans need a poison of some description and weed does not have anywhere near the levels of health or public damage that alcohol and cigs pose.

 

My point is, that if you're banning weed for health and social reasons you can't let alcohol and nicotine continue.

 

I'm 100pc in agreement with how you describe the way it's exploded onto the streets. They've been given a chance and there are idiots all over Thailand who are exploiting the opportunity. I've bought my stuff from 5 different suppliers and only 1 has delivered quality. 

 

I'd like to see it decriminalised for use at home, and the growers regulated with licences and inspections to ensure it squashes the opportunist scum that are making money from selling crap.

 

Weed is bad for the respiratory system, its smoking a cigarette without a filter, my respiratory system isnt the best all these years later from doing too many buckets say 1/8th solids with half a cigarette, was never a big spliff smoker.

 

Yes alcohol causes more problems than any other drug .. but its been part of human culture in most the planet for all of recorded history ... so can't go in for a comparison with cannabis, which in the western world is a relatively new phenomenon, i.e 150 years or so, and only circa 50 years has it become widespread

 

Personally i'd like to see ecstasy legalised, as it gets people out the house, exercising, happy and friendly ... weed just turns people into a boring bstrds!

[gargamon]

2 hours ago, ADog said:

 

I used to be a heavy cannabis smoker, when it was solids back in the late 80 and 90s ... started smoking it aged 14.

Seen the damage it does to people i.e. 2 now with schizophrenia ... so its not harmless, and that was solids which is nowhere near as strong as modern day weed.

 

Now i'm al for decriminalising, as people want to get high for whatever reason, they always have and always will.

 

But Thailand has seem to have gone from one extreme to the other, with winkers walking around with spliffs everywhere.

 

Decriminalise it for indoors whether that be in the home or an airconditioned room, so the majority of people who dont smoke it, or want to see it ... dont have to!

 

I work in Holland from time to time, and when smoking was still allowed on trains, some Brit thought it clever to light up a spliff ... Within an instant a Cloggy put the ignorant fool in his place.

Do tell. What are “solids“? I've been a consumer off and on since the 70's and have never heard the term. Hashish would be my guess but that would contradict your statement that today's weed is stronger. I've smoked black Afghani hash in the 70's that was much stronger than any pot available now.

[Deserted]

All we are saying is give weed a chance.

[ADog]

17 hours ago, gargamon said:

Do tell. What are “solids“? I've been a consumer off and on since the 70's and have never heard the term. Hashish would be my guess but that would contradict your statement that today's weed is stronger. I've smoked black Afghani hash in the 70's that was much stronger than any pot available now.

Yes its hash.

 

Todays weed is modified, hence its stronger.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6312155/

 

I could do buckets all day long back in the day, 2 drags on a modern day weed spliff and its game over for me. 

[sumaterani]

I'm good with cannabis medical clinic, but it means I have to be sick first to be happy, sounds moronic doesn't it? 

 

How about sick people want to have a recreational?

I thought recreational have exactly the same meaning with tourism.

 

I wish all governments apply some logic so we all can profit.

Edited April 8 by sumaterani