Cannabis Shops to Close by April 1, 2025: Thai PM Orders Drug Rescheduling

[ryandb]

Alcohol lobby responsible I'm guessing? I don't drink or smoke but I'm actually sick of every new business in Samui being Weed related in one way or another but it should remain legal (like all drugs should be, we aren't children and don't need coddling, if there's a market someone will fill it)

[tonypattaya]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

 

In a pivotal meeting attended by the Prime Minister and three senior ministers, PM Srettha Thavisin announced that cannabis shops in Thailand are to be shut down by April 1, 2025.

 

He has called for the reclassification of cannabis as a scheduled narcotic substance by the end of 2024. This comes as part of a larger strategy to clamp down on drug usage in Thailand.

 

The Prime Minister has advocated for stricter police action and treatment measures for drug addicts.

 

Thavisin earlier expressed strong opposition to cannabis liberalisation in an interview with France 24. His remarks alarmed then Minister of Public Health Cholnan Srikaew, who questioned whether the PM’s views were in line with government policy. This disagreement may have led to Cholnan's subsequent removal from the cabinet. 

 

The planned reclassification of marijuana will likely unsettle the burgeoning cannabis industry, as it effectively nullifies the 2022 statute proposed by former Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

 

The law had exempted police from criminal proceedings related to marijuana. Thavisin’s proposed changes would permit action against individuals selling and using cannabis. 

 

In a recent development, newly appointed Minister of Public Health Somsak suggested public consultation on the matter, while a bill is being drafted to regulate marijuana use as a non-scheduled substance.

 

However, any confusion or ambiguity in drug regulation is exactly what Srettha wants to avoid. He sees the cannabis trade as a threat to the country and argues that it brings more economic negatives than positives.

 

TOP File photo for reference only courtesy of Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-05-09

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[koolbreez]

There is a whole other side to what is going on, and what is being said, that most have no awareness of, when you actually look at what Thailand is doing concerning THC legalization, and the research. Thailand has let the free market work fully in the cannabis industry, just heavily requiring everyone involved be licensed, with licenses very easy to get, including export licenses. Last year was the first full year of data, including business tax payments, and particularly the total revenue those taxes represented. The tax filing deadline was March 31st. This particular date has plenty of significance concerning the April 1st. 2025 date mentioned. At that point there will be two full years of data, showing the actual monitory value of both domestic, and export, sales revenue. In a very passive comment, that was mentioned of bt1.2billion revenue last year. One thing that has been going on is countries in South East Asia that tourists come from visiting Thailand have been trying to pressure Thailand into ending recreational sales, as returnees are high, and a number of them smuggling back small amounts. Thailand puts out propaganda pieces, like statements from the last health Minister, mentioning the end of the year as closing recreational sales, as that was the end of the data collection year in other areas, like accidents, hospital admissions, and such. Now when that timeframe ended they changed ministers and set another date, in 2025, that just happens to be at the end of this tax year data. Now as far as Thaksin's involvement, and he's been involved longer than most think. Anutin doesn't make it to a deputy prime minister position without Thaksin's full approval. That indicates Anutin has a long association with Thaksin. To the point that when Anutin was minister of health Thaksin was consulted. This is a classic case study of free market enterprise. Shops aren't going anywhere, and other countries can look at Thai history of how many times they let outside countries influence what they do. Thailand always does what is in their best interest, and always have.

[kwilco]

THis is a decision not based on any science or reason - it is purely succumbing to the prejudices of others.

 

THe legalisation of cannabis in Thailand was chaotic and mismanaged and the reverse will be the same.

 

THere is no evidence to support claims if increased crime or violence just media hype.

All it will do is put a load of small businesses out of action and increase the influence of organised crime.

It won't improve the nations health it just shows further how inept the current administration is.

[scottdavio]

An early April fools joke, no doubt

[digger70]

Cannabis Shops to Close by April 1, 2025: Thai PM Orders Drug Rescheduling

 

Thai PM my @ss.

Just Google what  His Boss Thaksin  did when he was PM 

 

 We were invited to watch, and film, the execution of five prisoners, four of them convicted drug traffickers, by firing squad in Bangkok's Bangkwan prison.

The look on those men's faces, as they were walked, leg-chains clinking, to the pavilion where the executions took place, is something I shall never forget.

It was part of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's "war on drugs", which later escalated into the killing of many hundreds of drug suspects.

Thaksin's campaign was popular. Thais were worried about the damaging effects on their communities of narcotics like methamphetamines - and they were willing to ignore the shocking violations of human rights that came with the violent crackdown.

[Dioj]

39 minutes ago, WHansen said:

It was a well known fact that that buds could only be sold if the THC was 0.2% or below, yet they all threw money at it hoping to make a killing. No sympathy i'm afraid.

There was/is no legal limit on the amount THC allowed in buds/flowers. The 0.2% rule only applies to extract products. 

[Dioj]

1 hour ago, Deerculler said:

Might be a good idea to regulate the sales a bit more.

But to ban and make it illegal again.

Some one has lost the plot..

And hopefully his job. Incompetence is strong with this one. 

[DTL2014]

Terrible news - what is the main reason for this?.Anutin for the top spot! also i would like to see some data - who knows what influenced this decision made in private .Perhaps people were visiting the hospitals less and income dropped off for the police is my best guess plus Taksin's return?i dont think it has been in place long enough yet- give it another 2 years and then check the health data.

[MarkBR]

The criminals will be very happy with this development

[pjuk]

April the 1st !!! Yea all fool day. 555

[Caldera]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

In a pivotal meeting attended by the Prime Minister and three senior ministers, PM Srettha Thavisin announced that cannabis shops in Thailand are to be shut down by April 1, 2025.

 

Yet another pivotal flip-flop.

 

How it would have sucked to invest in a cannabis business here. Investors take note.

[bob smith]

Just now, Caldera said:

 

Yet another pivotal flip-flop.

 

How it would have sucked to invest in a cannabis business here. Investors take note.

I wouldn't invest a single cent of my money in any business here.

 

Way too much risk involved.

 

Thailand should take note from Singapore, Dubai & Hong Kong if they are serious about attracting real foreign investment. Who would want to invest here when there are no guarantees that your money will be safe?

 

bob.

[Adventurer1]

Thaksin’s idea. China’s idea. 

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, jaywalker2 said:

What are these negatives he's talking about. Road accidents, domestic disputes, sexual assaults and other crimes are always fueled by alcohol or yaba, not marijuana. Pot smokers can barely move after smoking weed with THC levels of 20-30 percent. This is Thaksin returning favors to the people who brought him home.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4827335/

Take that!🙏

[SmartyMarty]

Various weed stores already have "Cannabis Patient Cards" printed up, stamped by the "Thai Traditional Medication" board and set for distribution to any customers. Banning will make zero difference and this stupid government knows that.

[Thingamabob]

Utterly pathetic.Thaksin now running the show. This will hand the cannabis trade back to gangsters. Remember Thaksin's previous war on drugs ? Over two thousand people shot dead, most of them entirely innocent.

[Mr Meeseeks]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

He sees the cannabis trade as a threat to the country and argues that it brings more economic negatives than positives.

 

Funny, I see that about his, sorry, Thaksin's government. 

[RobU]

About time, the whole decriminalisation fiasco was a timebomb left by the outgoing military Junta to cause problems for the elected 'Democratic' (I use the term democratic advisedly) government. The idea being that the armed forces would have to step back in to sort out the breakdown in society due to the poor regulatory system and widespread abuse. 

[john11k]

Brilliant. !

get everyone hooked. Then make it illegal, 

 

[natway09]

Had they licenced & restricted "weed shops" from the start instead of open slather they would not

have found themselves in this position.

Getting genie back in the bottle will be difficult & all the Mr Plods must be rubbing their hands in glee 

at the "commission" that is going to be available

[Mr Meeseeks]

14 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Utterly pathetic.Thaksin now running the show. This will hand the cannabis trade back to gangsters. Remember Thaksin's previous war on drugs ? Over two thousand people shot dead, most of them entirely innocent.

 

They are dirty Chinese gangsters that will rob the country blind.

 

 

Helping their corrupt Police mates with another avenue to extort the public.

 

[bstie78]

Clearly Marijuana is good for you so the evil and greedy need to stop that and profit from the unhealthy. Can't prescribe beer for anything useful I guess...

Legalising weed has been the best way for me and others to deal with a lot of stupidity that goes on here and just chill. I see nothing wrong with weed at all🤷

Best thing Thailand ever did was legalise it. 

[pacovl46]

And just like that, he won't get reelected, if he pushes that through! Just amazing how much that guy has lost the plot! 

[SbuxPlease]

When it was declared that weed would now be legal in Thailand, I swear that very night I saw a dude sitting on my soi selling out of mason jars. Within weeks, there were fully stocked shops opening their doors.

 

The market has always been here. The market will always be here. The taxes, however, may switch from the government's coffers back to the policemen's coffers.

[Colabamumbai]

Early April fools... 

[Metapod]

its been legal for over a year, the sky isn't falling. weed isn't bad. just treat it like booze, which is significantly worse.

[snoop1130]

Thai PM Launches National Offensive on Drug Crisis, Ponders Cannabis Reclassification

 

 

Thailand's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, led an extensive high-level meeting earlier to address the pressing issue of drug use in the country. An agenda point of major significance was the potential re-evaluation of cannabis as a Class 5 narcotic.

 

The roundtable discussion included key stakeholders, such as Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, newly assigned Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin, and Justice Minister Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong. Together, they engaged in strategic discussions about the country's drug predicament and the necessary-political action.

 

The foremost concern for Srettha is the looming drug issue within Thailand. He emphasised that drugs represent a matter of national importance warranting collective action spanning from grassroot to national governance.

 

While acknowledging the persistent endeavours by Thai law enforcement to resist drug trafficking and illicit substance use, Srettha highlighted the alarming level of drug usage within the nation. He attributed this prevalence to the continued operation of drug kingpins and local traffickers.

 

The leaders also steered discussions towards clarifying legal parameters around drug possession. Factors under consideration included the difference between addicts and dealers caught with illicit substances. Srettha called for a shift in the legal definition of possession from “a small amount” to “one pill of illicit substances”.

 

Drawing attention to the potent risks of drug use, Srettha cautioned that possessing even a single methamphetamine pill could land an individual in court. They risk fines and potential imprisonment unless they can substantiate their addiction status, failing which they could face charges akin to a dealer.

 

The official stressed the role of investigation officers in distinguishing between addicts and drug dealers. He added that joined efforts between the Justice and Public Health Ministries could improve drug treatment efficacy.

 

The option of using military camps for drug addict rehabilitation was deliberated, although budgetary constraints and practicality concerns linger.

 

The collective anti-drug efforts are planned to unfold over the next three months.

 

As a parting note, Prime Minister Srettha proposed classifying cannabis as a Class 5 drug in light of its 2022 decriminalisation. The responsibility of finding legal adjustments permitting cannabis use for therapeutic purposes landed on the newly instated Health Minister Somsak, who vowed to consider both sides of the cannabis debate before reaching a resolution.

 

As per Srettha, the final draft outlining the changes would be prepared by late 2024.

 

This conference is the third instance of Srettha's endeavour to recriminalise non-medical cannabis uses. However, he can anticipate substantial pushback from pro-cannabis activists and businesses within a rapidly expanding industry that generates billions in revenue and supports numerous jobs across Thailand.

 

Photo courtesy of The Thaiger

 

-- 2024-05-09

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