Thailand Set to Recriminalise Cannabis Amid Expert Outcry

[webfact]

 

Thailand’s government has announced plans to close cannabis shops and reclassify cannabis flowers and buds as Category 5 narcotics, responding to severe backlash from the medical community. 

 

The Minister of Public Health is introducing a more stringent regime for medical cannabis use, backed by medical professionals who have declared the previous liberalisation policy a disaster.

 

Hundreds of Thai doctors, including Smith Srisont, President of the Medical Association of Thailand, have criticised the former government’s handling of cannabis, citing an alarming rise in psychiatric cases linked to the drug’s recreational use.

 

The shift follows Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s order to reclassify cannabis as a scheduled narcotic. The policy has sparked strong opposition from the cannabis industry and advocates, but it enjoys the support of nearly 76% of Thais according to a recent NIDA poll.

 

Minister Somsak Thepsutin outlined plans for a permit system allowing the medical use of certain cannabis elements. This would offer a controlled framework for cannabis use, aiming to balance medical benefits with public health concerns.

 

 

The move to recriminalise cannabis marks a significant departure from last year’s decriminalisation, which saw thousands of cannabis shops proliferate across Thailand. Medical experts argue that the drug’s liberalisation led to unregulated usage that endangered public health, particularly mental health.

 

Critics of the 2022 liberalisation have been particularly vocal about the lack of legal framework and enforcement, which left authorities unable to regulate cannabis effectively. For example, enforcing road safety laws against drivers under the influence of cannabis became practically impossible.

 

Medical proponents maintain that cannabis can still be used for medical purposes under stringent regulation, addressing concerns raised by mental health experts about the drug’s adverse effects on young people and the broader population. 

 

As Thailand moves towards recriminalising cannabis, the government appears committed to a new, more controlled approach that safeguards public health while acknowledging the potential medical benefits of cannabis.

 

TOP: Smith Srisont, President of the Medical Association of Thailand. Picture courtesy: MEDI

 

-- 2024-05-25

 

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[fondue zoo]

If they think they are getting a piece of the international medical Maryjane market they are going to be disappointed, too late, too slow, too much nonsense.

[dinsdale]

22 minutes ago, webfact said:

Hundreds of Thai doctors, including Smith Srisont, President of the Medical Association of Thailand, have criticised the former government’s handling of cannabis, citing an alarming rise in psychiatric cases linked to the drug’s recreational use.

I would very much like to see actual evidence of this claim supported by independent scientific proofs. This is just more of the demonising rhetoric to support the govts. (aka Thaksin) push to recriminalise.

[George Bowman]

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

Medical proponents maintain that cannabis can still be used for medical purposes

If they prescribe cannabis like they do antibiotics...

[Henryford]

It was obvious from the start that turning Thailand's youth into a bunch of stoners was not a good idea. You don't need to be an "expert" to work that one out.

Edited May 25 by Henryford

[Andre0720]

De-criminalising was a nice try in Thailand.

But the result was too astounding.

Did not take into account that, particularly young men here, are attracted to drugs like flies on .....

Nicotine, alcohol, lots of hard drugs as well, and now a multitude of cannabis shops opening all  over....

Quite unreal when you drive around. Cannabis, cannabis, cannabis. Given the sheer numbers, impact on public health will show too many people affected in absolute numbers.

Even recreational drugs should be banned in a country where men have so much difficulty to attain adulthood and maturity.

 

[sungod]

13 minutes ago, Henryford said:

It was obvious from the start that turning Thailand's youth into a bunch of stoners was not a good idea. You don't need to be an "expert" to work that one out.

 

Well done, zero proof of that.

[Galong]

4 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

But the result was too astounding.

Quite unreal when you drive around. Cannabis, cannabis, cannabis. Given the sheer numbers, impact on public health will show too many people affected in absolute numbers.

Even recreational drugs should be banned in a country where men have so much difficulty to attain adulthood and maturity.

 

This is nothing more than your opinion. What was astounding (in my opinion), was the quick response by local small entrepreneurs. There was a tremendous boon for new businesses. What should be addressed or researched is in the economic boon from this new cottage industry.

"public health will show too many people affected in absolute numbers" Hogwash in every way. Who and how are they going to be able to discern the difference between the health effects of smoking tobacco vs pot on the lungs? How are they going to determine the health implications being directly as a result of pot versus the typical unhealthy lifestyle, tobacco, alcohol, etc??

"ABSOLUTE NUMBERS"  Come on, man. 🤦‍♂️

[dinsdale]

22 minutes ago, Henryford said:

It was obvious from the start that turning Thailand's youth into a bunch of stoners was not a good idea. You don't need to be an "expert" to work that one out.

You know for a fact that "Thailand's youth" are abusing dope do you or is this just an opinion? As for youth what age would this be? Bear in mind that "Thailand's youth" are also using alcohol, tobacco, ice and yaba. Of course your generalist statement is nonsense. Yes, there is drug abuse but I'll bet the majority of abuse or casual consumption will primarily be alcohol and tabacco. You don't need to be an "expert" to work this one out.

Edited May 25 by dinsdale

[JBChiangRai]

36 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I would very much like to see actual evidence of this claim supported by independent scientific proofs. This is just more of the demonising rhetoric to support the govts. (aka Thaksin) push to recriminalise.

 

16 minutes ago, sungod said:

 

Well done, zero proof of that.

 

9 minutes ago, Galong said:

This is nothing more than your opinion. What was astounding (in my opinion), was the quick response by local small entrepreneurs. There was a tremendous boon for new businesses. What should be addressed or researched is in the economic boon from this new cottage industry.

"public health will show too many people affected in absolute numbers" Hogwash in every way. Who and how are they going to be able to discern the difference between the health effects of smoking tobacco vs pot on the lungs? How are they going to determine the health implications being directly as a result of pot versus the typical unhealthy lifestyle, tobacco, alcohol, etc??

"ABSOLUTE NUMBERS"  Come on, man. 🤦‍♂️

 

The stoner's typical response is that Cannabis is not addictive, does not cause any problems, is safer than alcohol etc etc

 

The fact is that this flies in the face of medical opinion, Cannabis Use Disorder is very real, I am not commenting on alcohol, which is also a problem, but irrelevant, we are talking about Cannabis only.

 

Fast Statistics

Approximately 3 in 10 people who use cannabis have cannabis use disorder.

It is estimated that people who use cannabis have about a 10% likelihood of becoming addicted.

The risk of developing cannabis use disorder is greater in people who start using cannabis during youth or adolescence and who use cannabis more frequently.

 

The following are signs of cannabis use disorder:

Using more cannabis than intended

Trying but failing to quit using cannabis

Spending a lot of time using cannabis

Craving cannabis

Using cannabis even though it causes problems at home, school, or work

Continuing to use cannabis despite social or relationship problems

Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using cannabis

Using cannabis in high-risk situations, such as while driving a car

Continuing to use cannabis despite physical or psychological problems

Needing to use more cannabis to get the same high

People who have cannabis use disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning.

 

 

Cannabis Use Disorder: Definition, Symptoms, Treatment (verywellmind.com)

Cannabis Use Disorder - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)

Understanding Your Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder | Cannabis and Public Health | CDC

Cannabis/Marijuana Use Disorder > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine

Cannabis use and cannabis use Disorder - PMC (nih.gov)

[dinsdale]

31 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

 

 

The stoner's typical response is that Cannabis is not addictive, does not cause any problems, is safer than alcohol etc etc

 

The fact is that this flies in the face of medical opinion, Cannabis Use Disorder is very real, I am not commenting on alcohol, which is also a problem, but irrelevant, we are talking about Cannabis only.

 

Fast Statistics

Approximately 3 in 10 people who use cannabis have cannabis use disorder.

It is estimated that people who use cannabis have about a 10% likelihood of becoming addicted.

The risk of developing cannabis use disorder is greater in people who start using cannabis during youth or adolescence and who use cannabis more frequently.

 

The following are signs of cannabis use disorder:

Using more cannabis than intended

Trying but failing to quit using cannabis

Spending a lot of time using cannabis

Craving cannabis

Using cannabis even though it causes problems at home, school, or work

Continuing to use cannabis despite social or relationship problems

Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using cannabis

Using cannabis in high-risk situations, such as while driving a car

Continuing to use cannabis despite physical or psychological problems

Needing to use more cannabis to get the same high

People who have cannabis use disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning.

 

 

Cannabis Use Disorder: Definition, Symptoms, Treatment (verywellmind.com)

Cannabis Use Disorder - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)

Understanding Your Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder | Cannabis and Public Health | CDC

Cannabis/Marijuana Use Disorder > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine

Cannabis use and cannabis use Disorder - PMC (nih.gov)

Undoubtedly the overuse or abuse of dope can have deleterious effects and although you try and keep this on the anti-dope narrative you cannot deny that this also applies to alchohol, tabacco, ice and yaba. The point you are missing is that this applies to a small % of users. Recreational use is what it says. Recreational. Not abuse. Yep there are people with SUD (Substance Use Disorder) with the severest form being addiction but again this applies to all drugs and not to everyone that uses drugs. All tortoises are turtles but not all turtles are tortoises i.e. all drug addicts are drug users but not all drug users are drug addicts.

p.s. As for being a stoner why the personal attacks on people you don't know? Do you drink alcohol and if so can I call you an alcoholic? 

Edited May 25 by dinsdale

[sungod]

15 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

 

 

The stoner's typical response is that Cannabis is not addictive, does not cause any problems, is safer than alcohol etc etc

 

The fact is that this flies in the face of medical opinion, Cannabis Use Disorder is very real, I am not commenting on alcohol, which is also a problem, but irrelevant, we are talking about Cannabis only.

 

Fast Statistics

Approximately 3 in 10 people who use cannabis have cannabis use disorder.

It is estimated that people who use cannabis have about a 10% likelihood of becoming addicted.

The risk of developing cannabis use disorder is greater in people who start using cannabis during youth or adolescence and who use cannabis more frequently.

 

The following are signs of cannabis use disorder:

Using more cannabis than intended

Trying but failing to quit using cannabis

Spending a lot of time using cannabis

Craving cannabis

Using cannabis even though it causes problems at home, school, or work

Continuing to use cannabis despite social or relationship problems

Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using cannabis

Using cannabis in high-risk situations, such as while driving a car

Continuing to use cannabis despite physical or psychological problems

Needing to use more cannabis to get the same high

People who have cannabis use disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning.

 

 

Cannabis Use Disorder: Definition, Symptoms, Treatment (verywellmind.com)

Cannabis Use Disorder - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)

Understanding Your Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder | Cannabis and Public Health | CDC

Cannabis/Marijuana Use Disorder > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine

Cannabis use and cannabis use Disorder - PMC (nih.gov)

The facts I have are that I know loads of people who use cannabis, none suffer any of this above.

 

I do know lots of people who drink too much and are suffering from it from a healthy perspective. Lets not forget the amount of domestic violence it causes too.

 

Trouble is, people like you who feel good about dishing out the justice to people think its their right to tell us how to live our lives.

 

Isnt their an EV car fire thread you should be commenting on?

[JBChiangRai]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Undoubtedly the overuse or abuse of dope can have deleterious effects and although you try and keep this on the anti-dope narrative you cannot deny that this also applies to alchohol, tabacco, ice and yaba. The point you are missing is that this applies to a small % of users. Recreational use is what it says. Recreational. Not abuse. Yep there are people with SUD (Substance Use Disorder) with the severest form being addiction but again this applies to all drugs and not to everyone that uses drugs. 

p.s. As for being a stoner why the personal attacks on people you don't know? Do you drink alcohol and if so can I call you an alcoholic? 

 

This is not a personal attack on anyone, I don't have a problem with recreational use of cannabis subject to some very specific conditions.

 

When people post untruths about Cannabis, it needs to be corrected, it can't just be left there as a lie that assumes truth through being unchallenged.

 

Some people who drink alcohol are alcoholics, not all, just as some people who use Cannabis recreationally have CUD, not all.

 

I do drink alcohol, I particularly enjoy fine wine.  I'm not an alcoholic because of the quantity and frequency I imbibe.  I drink wine for the tase, not the effect, the converse is probably not true with Cannabis.

[JBChiangRai]

4 minutes ago, sungod said:

The facts I have are that I know loads of people who use cannabis, none suffer any of this above.

 

I do know lots of people who drink too much and are suffering from it from a healthy perspective. Lets not forget the amount of domestic violence it causes too.

 

Trouble is, people like you who feel good about dishing out the justice to people think its their right to tell us how to live our lives.

 

Isn't their an EV car fire thread you should be commenting on?

 

Yes I did comment on that EV fire thread.

[sungod]

6 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Undoubtedly the overuse or abuse of dope can have deleterious effects and although you try and keep this on the anti-dope narrative you cannot deny that this also applies to alchohol, tabacco, ice and yaba. The point you are missing is that this applies to a small % of users. Recreational use is what it says. Recreational. Not abuse. Yep there are people with SUD (Substance Use Disorder) with the severest form being addiction but again this applies to all drugs and not to everyone that uses drugs. 

p.s. As for being a stoner why the personal attacks on people you don't know? Do you drink alcohol and if so can I call you an alcoholic? 

Dont you get annoyed when these alcoholics tell us whats good and bad for us?

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

This is not a personal attack on anyone, I don't have a problem with recreational use of cannabis subject to some very specific conditions.

 

When people post untruths about Cannabis, it needs to be corrected, it can't just be left there as a lie that assumes truth through being unchallenged.

 

Some people who drink alcohol are alcoholics, not all, just as some people who use Cannabis recreationally have CUD, not all.

 

I do drink alcohol, I particularly enjoy fine wine.  I'm not an alcoholic because of the quantity and frequency I imbibe.  I drink wine for the tase, not the effect, the converse is probably not true with Cannabis.

Ok well stop referring to people who disagree with your post as stoners.

26 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

The stoner's typical response

 

[JBChiangRai]

1 minute ago, sungod said:

Dont you get annoyed when these alcoholics tell us whats good and bad for us?

 

Not at all, I feel the same about alcohol as I do about Cannabis, let me repeat something I said earlier

 

"I don't have a problem with recreational use of cannabis subject to some very specific conditions."

 

That applies equally to Alcohol.

[JBChiangRai]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Ok well stop referring to people who disagree with your post as stoners.

 

 

How would you prefer I refer to them?  It's a description much like Farang refers to white caucasian people.

 

 

[bob smith]

Thailand - The hub of self inflicted egg on face.

 

bob.

[bamnutsak]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Hundreds of Thai doctors, including Smith Srisont, President of the Medical Association of Thailand, have criticised the former government’s handling of cannabis, citing an alarming rise in psychiatric cases linked to the drug’s recreational use.

 

 

Would love to see some numbers defining "an alarming rise" in psychiatric cases".

 

 

And if cannabis is so dangerous why is the government taking ~ twelve months to reclassify Cannabis (several officials have quoted the date of April 2025 for implementation)?

 

 

It can be reclassified immediately - as Anutin did in February 2022 - with the stroke of a pen, maybe with a 90 - 120 gazetting option.

 

Close all the shops tomorrow. Sieze all the cannabis and destroy it. Arrest anyone using it.

 

 

Letting the children suffer continuing psychiatric distress for a full year seems like medical malfeasance.

[Andre0720]

49 minutes ago, Galong said:

This is nothing more than your opinion. What was astounding (in my opinion), was the quick response by local small entrepreneurs. There was a tremendous boon for new businesses. What should be addressed or researched is in the economic boon from this new cottage industry.

"public health will show too many people affected in absolute numbers" Hogwash in every way. Who and how are they going to be able to discern the difference between the health effects of smoking tobacco vs pot on the lungs? How are they going to determine the health implications being directly as a result of pot versus the typical unhealthy lifestyle, tobacco, alcohol, etc??

"ABSOLUTE NUMBERS"  Come on, man. 🤦‍♂️

Not my opinion, sir.

Please read the content.

"How are they going to determine the health implications".

They already have determined that, sir.

 

Hundreds of Thai doctors, including Smith Srisont, President of the Medical Association of Thailand, have criticised the former government’s handling of cannabis, citing an alarming rise in psychiatric cases linked to the drug’s recreational use.

 

This is the opinion of medical doctors, sir, not me.

 

And these doctors concluded to a 'cause to effect', based on an alarming rise in psychiatric cases linked to the drug’s recreational use.

 

Now if this is incorrect, please show your own facts.

We are not interested in your opinion, sir.

 

[Tropicalevo]

14 minutes ago, sungod said:

Dont you get annoyed when these alcoholics tell us whats good and bad for us?

And your only defence is an unproven insult?

Evidence please, as the cannabis deniers keep saying.

[dinsdale]

6 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

How would you prefer I refer to them?  It's a description much like Farang refers to white caucasian people.

 

 

You don't need to use any reference at all. I don't say "the alcoholic's typical response ....." and it's nothing at all like the term farang. If it was then all people who drink are alcoholics and all people that smoke dope are drugs addicts. Rediculous comparison.

[sungod]

1 minute ago, Tropicalevo said:

17 minutes ago, sungod said:

Dont you get annoyed when these alcoholics tell us whats good and bad for us?

And your only defence is an unproven insult?

Evidence please, as the cannabis deniers keep saying.

 

Wheres the insult?

[Tropicalevo]

1 minute ago, sungod said:

 

Wheres the insult?

Accusing people of being an alcoholic is an insult to most normal people.

If you cannot see that......

[dinsdale]

4 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

Not my opinion, sir.

Please read the content.

"How are they going to determine the health implications".

They already have determined that, sir.

 

Hundreds of Thai doctors, including Smith Srisont, President of the Medical Association of Thailand, have criticised the former government’s handling of cannabis, citing an alarming rise in psychiatric cases linked to the drug’s recreational use.

 

This is the opinion of medical doctors, sir, not me.

 

And these doctors concluded to a 'cause to effect', based on an alarming rise in psychiatric cases linked to the drug’s recreational use.

 

Now if this is incorrect, please show your own facts.

We are not interested in your opinion, sir.

 

Doctor's opinions about something else being safe and effictive has been proven to be incorrect. As for the above article there's no reference to any independant data so it's only blind faith and believing what you're told that makes you take it as truth. Critical thinking is a very important human trait.

[dinsdale]

Just now, Tropicalevo said:

Accusing people of being an alcoholic is an insult to most normal people.

If you cannot see that......

But calling people stoner's is ok is it? If you cannot see that......

[sungod]

Just now, Tropicalevo said:

Accusing people of being an alcoholic is an insult to most normal people.

If you cannot see that......

 

Apparently I'm a stoner as I use cannabis.

 

I'm using the same logic that anyone who drinks alcohol is an alcoholic, or maybe you would prefer p!ss head?

[Tropicalevo]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

But calling people stoner's is ok is it? If you cannot see that......

I guess so - ask Stoner.

[Tropicalevo]

3 minutes ago, sungod said:

 

Apparently I'm a stoner as I use cannabis.

 

Your words. Not mine.