Thailand's Cannabis Industry Faces Uncertain Future Amid Government Review

[webfact]

Picture courtesy Pattaya Mail via Thaiger

 

Thailand’s cannabis industry faces uncertain future as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin calls for a crucial meeting to reassess the legal status of cannabis, potentially reverting it to a Category 5 narcotic.

 

The high-stakes discussion includes Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin, and Minister of Justice Police Colonel Thavee Sodsong. If cannabis is reclassified, its use would be limited to medical purposes, focusing on enhanced addiction treatment programs. This decision could have far-reaching implications for businesses, particularly in tourist hotspots like Pattaya.

 

Wara, who runs a licensed cannabis shop in Pattaya, expressed his concerns.

 

“Most of my customers are tourists buying cannabis for recreational use. This change could drastically impact our business,” he said.

 

Wara is urging fellow shop owners to remain calm and comply with impending regulations, such as requiring licensed pharmacists and medical prescriptions for customers. He believes in staying optimistic for a balanced resolution that considers the economic benefits to the industry.

 

 

“We need a solution that acknowledges the economic impact while safeguarding public health,” Wara added, noting the importance of responsible sales practices.

 

Meanwhile, Gunkul Engineering, a renewable energy company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), has put a pause on its cannabis investment. The firm, which entered the cannabis and hemp market through its subsidiary GK Hemp Group, has already invested nearly 500 million baht (US$14 million) but now awaits clearer regulations before committing further funds.

 

Pro-cannabis groups are ramping up their efforts to resist the government's proposed changes, even threatening to stage a protest outside the Ministry of Public Health. These groups demand scientifically-backed evidence to justify the reclassification.

 

As discussions continue, the future of Thailand’s cannabis industry hangs in the balance, awaiting a decision that could reshape its landscape entirely.

 

-- 2024-05-17

 

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[ezzra]

Think of this way Mr. PM, since you work tirelessly to bring more and more tourists, allowing recreational use of the

weed will surely bring many more of the above, maybe not the type of tourists quality you want, nevertheless,

they have money to spend and burn in your country...

[Skipalongcassidy]

28 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Think of this way Mr. PM, since you work tirelessly to bring more and more tourists, allowing recreational use of the

weed will surely bring many more of the above, maybe not the type of tourists quality you want, nevertheless,

they have money to spend and burn in your country...

So maybe against many posters' opinions on here... Thailand is not all about the baht... maybe they do not want the riff raff of the world invading their paradise.

[Colabamumbai]

Thailands P M faces an uncertain future. 

[AustinRacing]

It was for medical use. Therefore there shouldn’t be an industry around it for recreational use.  

[stoner]

2 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

So maybe against many posters' opinions on here... Thailand is not all about the baht... maybe they do not want the riff raff of the world invading their paradise.

 

thailand is not all about the baht ? ahhhh this is planet earth calling are you there ? 

[Skipalongcassidy]

22 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

thailand is not all about the baht ? ahhhh this is planet earth calling are you there ? 

The current trend is that Thai officials are choosing not to allow cannabis to be legal thus turning away all those baht that are supposedly spent in Thailand by all those fine upstanding stoner tourists... have another toke.

[stoner]

3 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

The current trend is that Thai officials are choosing not to allow cannabis to be legal thus turning away all those baht that are supposedly spent in Thailand by all those fine upstanding stoner tourists... have another toke.

 

ok.

[Thingamabob]

Weed users are not riff-raff. They are made up of all types ranging from backpackers to well-off residents. Anyway, whatever your background, make the best of it while you can. It appears the civilized move to relax regulations is about to be snuffed out by Thaksin's people. Cannabis will soon be back into the hands of gangsters , sadly.

[dinsdale]

"a government review". So not data, no evidence and no science independant of the government position but purely what the puppet master says. I think we all know the outcome. Regression, which is very good for the drug bosses, the generals and the BIB. 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The high-stakes discussion includes Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin, and Minister of Justice Police Colonel Thavee Sodsong. If cannabis is reclassified, its use would be limited to medical purposes, focusing on enhanced addiction treatment programs. This decision could have far-reaching implications for businesses, particularly in tourist hotspots like Pattaya.

By all means farm it, sell it to the pharmaceutical industry for processing and deliver it to the hospitals for doctors to prescribe it. Get rid of all the shops that sell it to whoever wants it, and make it illegal as a recreational drug for sale/personal use.

Easy solution.

[dinsdale]

38 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

By all means farm it, sell it to the pharmaceutical industry for processing and deliver it to the hospitals for doctors to prescribe it. Get rid of all the shops that sell it to whoever wants it, and make it illegal as a recreational drug for sale/personal use.

Easy solution.

Better to have cigs and alcohol legal because they cause less harm? I'm not advocating for the criminalisation of either cigs or booze because that's just as rediculous and won't happen but this century old idea that dope should be classified as a narcotic is just that. A century old. Actually I think it was 1936 or there abouts. Dope of course will still be available but a person becomes a criminal again for smoking it and the real criminals go back to making a fortune. Yep! good idea. Go and get drunk and smoke ciggies is ok but have a spliff and your a criminal. Rediculous. It should be decriminalised with caveats. No smoking areas. Yes. Same as cigs. Sale to minors illigal with stiff penalties. Purchased from licenced outlets. Define the amount a person can have for personal use. Define the amount a person can grow for personal use. Farming/plantations regulated and licensed. These are some examples of how it can be done. Basically decriminalized rather than legalised. Sadly baffoons run the show here.

Edited May 17 by dinsdale

[sumaterani]

Recreational is medical, it's for the peace of my mind, I know it's slowing me up but I need to because my mind is much faster than my mouth or hands.

 

Thailand by definition, afaik means The Land of The Free (cmiiw) more than just LoS, so please keep this freedom to enjoy weed, you're forefront the first leader on this subject in Asia. When your neighbors are being late, don't follow them, they should follow you in this regard. 

 

Once again: Recreational is part of Medical.

[wombat]

money talks and bull excrement walks

Edited May 17 by wombat

[Wrwest]

A bit of irony as the USA lowers the classification ...

[snoop1130]

Advocacy Groups in Thailand Urge Health Minister to Rethink Cannabis Criminalization

 

 

On May 16, 2024, Prasitchai Nunual, the head of the Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis network, along with several other representatives, requested Thai Minister of Public Health, Somsak Thepsuthin, to review the laws against cannabis use. They presented a letter to the Thai Ministry of Public Health, suggesting that they consider if cannabis should be classified as an illegal drug, or if a specific law to regulate its use should be enacted, as reported by Thai national media.

 

The cannabis-supporting groups asked the Thai Ministry of Public Health to compare the benefits and harms of cannabis, alcohol, and cigarettes, using reliable statistics and facts. They requested that an impartial committee be established, comprised of elected people to review and summarize the information.

 

Minister Somsak acknowledged the medicinal, health, and financial usefulness of cannabis, provided it meets global standards. He clarified that he has only ever recognized its use for medical purposes since its legalization in 2022, and doesn't support recreational use.

 

Alongside this, other pro-cannabis groups, including business owners and users, submitted letters to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, asking him to assess whether cannabis should be classified as a narcotic drug. These letters were submitted from various provinces such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chonburi, and Buriram, as per Thai national media reports.

 

These groups called on the Thai government to create a specific legislation for cannabis and to set up a dedicated department to regulate its legal use and ensure unified standards across the country. They presented studies showcasing the benefits of cannabis use and the potential revenue it could generate, requesting the government to consider this information before classifying it as an illegal narcotic drug.

 

Finally, they proposed the idea of a public vote or that individual areas, like Phuket or Pattaya, should be allowed to decide their stance on the legality of cannabis.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-17

 

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[Hummin]

6 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Weed users are not riff-raff. They are made up of all types ranging from backpackers to well-off residents. Anyway, whatever your background, make the best of it while you can. It appears the civilized move to relax regulations is about to be snuffed out by Thaksin's people. Cannabis will soon be back into the hands of gangsters , sadly.

Please elaborate, thai gangsters as army and police? 

 

No mafia without any of their support. 

 

As for the Pattaya dispensary I rest my case. 

 

“Most of my customers are tourists buying cannabis for recreational use. This change could drastically impact our business,” he said.

[Will B Good]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin calls for a crucial meeting to reassess the legal status of cannabis,

So when he announced it was gone, finished before the end of year....?????

[Seppius]

Two shops have closed in Pratumnak, 0ne on Soi 6, another on 5. The one at the bottom soi 6 never had a chance, they spent some decent money on refurbishing, but totally the wrong location