Health Minister Dismisses Cannabis Protests Amid Reclassification Talks

[webfact]

 

Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, has downplayed recent protests against the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic. Yesterday, about 300 pro-cannabis demonstrators, led by Prasitthichai Nunual of the People’s Network for Cannabis Legalisation in Thailand, gathered outside Government House. They voiced opposition to potential legal changes which are part of the government’s reconsideration of cannabis regulations.

 

Somsak acknowledged the protesters' right to demonstrate but mentioned that the Prime Minister has not issued any special directives regarding the ongoing rally or cannabis regulation. He reaffirmed that the government is open to medicinal cannabis use and recognises its economic benefits. He assured that business operators will be given ample time to adjust to new regulations should cannabis be reclassified.

 

Amid concerns over a potential reclassification, Somsak indicated that discussions are ongoing. He urged the public to adhere to current laws until any official changes are made. The issue of a regulating bill remains uncertain if cannabis is reclassified.

 

Cannabis was decriminalised in Thailand in 2022, championed by the Bhumjaithai Party as part of their 2019 electoral campaign. However, decriminalisation happened before necessary regulatory legislation was enacted, raising concerns about substance abuse, especially among the youth. A cannabis and hemp bill initially supported by the Bhumjaithai Party failed to pass in its second reading in the last parliament.

 

The new Pheu Thai-led government is now considering reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic, leading to speculation that a specific law to control its use may be unnecessary. Advocacy groups, led by Prasitthichai, have stated they will continue to press for regulation. 

 

“If the government reverses the decision, we demand a public consultation. Cannabis is no worse than tobacco or alcohol and has medicinal properties,” stated Prasitthichai.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised the importance of considering both sides of the argument. When asked about controlling specific parts of the cannabis plant, he directed the question to the public health minister.

 

Picture courtesy: Wizman420

 

 

-- 2024-06-11

 

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[Tropicalevo]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

Cannabis is no worse than tobacco or alcohol and has medicinal properties,” stated Prasitthichai.

Same old bleat from the cannabis users.

Everyone recognises that cannabis is useful in medical use. That will not change.

It is the recreational use that the government want to restrict.

Tobacco and alcohol is controlled by law.

Stop the dumb deflections.

[daveAustin]

^^^ People don’t go to prison when they buy cigs and beer. Derr. 

[connda]

P*ss off "little people."  Your rulers know what is best for you:  Cigarettes and alcohol.  Cannabis will damage your lungs and make you feel too good.  Bad.  Not like cigarettes and alcohol.  Cigarettes and alcohol good: good for your lungs and good for your liver - make you happy, so drink and smoke tobacco.  Smoke cannabis? - prison for you peons.  Fearless leaders say it's so.  Now move along p*ss-ant peasants.  You mean nothing to us you lowly commoner pond-scum.  Get outta here. And you small cannabis business owners?  Ha ha ha ha ha.  Cigarette and alcohol monopolies say to crush you.  Good bye lowly small business, sucks to be you.  Ha ha ha ha ha.

[watchcat]

51 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Tobacco and alcohol is controlled by law.

 

How are tthose tvo drugs controlled ?

[Peabody]

15 minutes ago, watchcat said:

How are tthose tvo drugs controlled ?

By classifying them as Class 5 Narcotics?

Numpties.

[watchcat]

2 minutes ago, Peabody said:

By classifying them as Class 5 Narcotics?

Numpties.

 

3 minutes ago, Peabody said:

By classifying them as Class 5 Narcotics?

Numpties.

 

But they are very large companies in  thailand and you just don't reclassified their products as  class 5 narcotics even if I like them to do it.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Somsak acknowledged the protesters' right to demonstrate but mentioned that the Prime Minister has not issued any special directives regarding the ongoing rally or cannabis regulation. He reaffirmed that the government is open to medicinal cannabis use and recognises its economic benefits. He assured that business operators will be given ample time to adjust to new regulations should cannabis be reclassified.

Stop debating it and just do it...

[IAMHERE]

Why does it take only one man to make this decision for everyone else.  Is he elected?

[Deerculler]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, has downplayed recent protests against the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic. Yesterday, about 300 pro-cannabis demonstrators, led by Prasitthichai Nunual of the People’s Network for Cannabis Legalisation in Thailand, gathered outside Government House. They voiced opposition to potential legal changes which are part of the government’s reconsideration of cannabis regulations.

 

Somsak acknowledged the protesters' right to demonstrate but mentioned that the Prime Minister has not issued any special directives regarding the ongoing rally or cannabis regulation. He reaffirmed that the government is open to medicinal cannabis use and recognises its economic benefits. He assured that business operators will be given ample time to adjust to new regulations should cannabis be reclassified.

 

Amid concerns over a potential reclassification, Somsak indicated that discussions are ongoing. He urged the public to adhere to current laws until any official changes are made. The issue of a regulating bill remains uncertain if cannabis is reclassified.

 

Cannabis was decriminalised in Thailand in 2022, championed by the Bhumjaithai Party as part of their 2019 electoral campaign. However, decriminalisation happened before necessary regulatory legislation was enacted, raising concerns about substance abuse, especially among the youth. A cannabis and hemp bill initially supported by the Bhumjaithai Party failed to pass in its second reading in the last parliament.

 

The new Pheu Thai-led government is now considering reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic, leading to speculation that a specific law to control its use may be unnecessary. Advocacy groups, led by Prasitthichai, have stated they will continue to press for regulation. 

 

“If the government reverses the decision, we demand a public consultation. Cannabis is no worse than tobacco or alcohol and has medicinal properties,” stated Prasitthichai.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised the importance of considering both sides of the argument. When asked about controlling specific parts of the cannabis plant, he directed the question to the public health minister.

 

Picture courtesy: Wizman420

 

 

-- 2024-06-11

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Cannabis was made legal in Thailand.

 

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, Deerculler said:

Cannabis was made legal in Thailand.

 

No it wasn't.

It was decriminalised.

there is quite a difference.

Google it if you do not understand.

[watchcat]

16 hours ago, IAMHERE said:

Why does it take only one man to make this decision for everyone else.  Is he elected?

 

No he is not, but we are not allowed to talk about this.

[fondue zoo]

17 hours ago, IAMHERE said:

Why does it take only one man to make this decision for everyone else.  Is he elected?

 

Because humans in larger groups are mostly stupid and allow it, everywhere.

[bobbin]

South Africa just legalized cannabis for personal recreational use..

 

The naysayers are just pushing back against the new dawn..

 

After almost a century ( blink of an eye in the long history of cannabis) of prohibition. That didn't work..