Thailand to reclassify cannabis as illegal by 1 January, 2025

[webfact]

 

In an unexpected pivot, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has announced plans to reclassify cannabis and hemp as illegal narcotics starting January 1, 2025.

 

The move will see cannabis flowers and extracts containing more than 0.2% THC being categorised alongside other banned drugs, while branches, stems, roots, leaves, and seeds will remain exempt from this classification.

 

This decision marks a significant reversal from the country's earlier stance that saw a push towards decriminalization and controlled use, particularly for medical and research purposes.

 

Dr. Surachoke Tangwiwat from the ministry pointed out the intention to curb recreational use, which has been a growing concern among health officials and the general public.

 

The draft regulation, which has garnered approval from a majority at the recent Narcotics Control Board meeting, will now be forwarded to Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, before being presented to the Cabinet for final endorsement.

 

Opponents of the move, such as the Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis network, voiced their dissatisfaction, claiming the change favours corporate interests over the public good.

 

The network, led by activist Prasitchai Nunual, has called for public demonstrations to protest the reclassification. They have scheduled a gathering on July 8 outside Government House, urging supporters to voice their dissent in what they describe as "a final fight" to keep cannabis accessible to the populace.

 

Despite these controversies, proponents of the bill argue that the reclassification is necessary to prevent misuse and protect public health, ensuring that the plant's benefits are utilized responsibly and safely. As the debate continues, the coming months are set to be critical in shaping the future of cannabis regulation in Thailand.

 

Picture courtesy: Facebook เขียนอนาคตกัญชาไทย

 

-- 2024-07-08

 

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[Gottfrid]

It´s a really strong force on the picture.

[Geoffggi]

I do believe we all know who's pet hate this is & why it is an up hill battle, but should he win there will be no stopping him which will be bad for Thailand

[huangnon]

Another amazing policy flip-flop by The Ministry Of Silly Walks. All those legit businesses (and people's lives) that went bust during the Covid lockdowns and re-surfaced as Cannabis shops / farms etc, now about to be shut down again..

[ikke1959]

The flip flop decisions always.... How can you ever rely on what is good and can be done in Thailand..It will be impossible to criminalze cannabis again..As it is impossible to let people wear a helmet, and the result.. Nothing will change and just a new law that will not be enforcement as so many, because the law enforcers are involved in many cases and they will protect their business

[Morakot]

Quote

Meanwhile, Prasitchai Nunual, secretary general of the Network for Writing the Future of Thai Cannabis, along with others, announced via a live broadcast to the public and cannabis networks nationwide that the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic is driven by the interests of certain capital groups and does not genuinely concern public welfare.

 

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/07/07/attempt-to-reclassify-cannabis-as-category-5-narcotic-moves-forward

[bkk6060]

They will enforce it, too many people will complain who don't like it, post on social media etc.

Better stock up at the end of the year.

[Guderian]

Strange that they're desperately trying to increase tourist numbers yet criminalising something that undoubtedly attracts quite a few tourists. The left hand doesn't seem to know what the right hand's doing.

[Andrewdownunder]

So Thaksin is firmly in control.

[sumaterani]

Really bad not news, but I can only say goodbye and thanks for illegal flowers

[wombat]

Ain't never gunna happen...the genie is out of the bottle and it ain't never gunna go back in.🙃

[freeworld]

Good news.

[Nickcage49]

So first they make it legal and invited thousands of businesspeople to invest in shops, production, etc. Now they make it illegal and put the same thousands of people out of business.

 

Just another example of this government not thinking something through.

 

What are they going to do, make it legal again next year?

 

This is just bizarre.

[sumaterani]

5 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Strange that they're desperately trying to increase tourist numbers yet criminalising something that undoubtedly attracts quite a few tourists. The left hand doesn't seem to know what the right hand's doing.

 

There are 220 million pot smokers worldwide

[phetpeter]

So, growing is legal, but buds and flowers are illegal, so growers can produce but, must remove those parts of the plant that are illegal, hmm, how is that going to work? so, the law will use this as a whitewash, let's hope people and sellers understand that allowing people to smoke or use outside and be potheads in public will not be permitted, and if the potheads had done that in the first place, this law would not have come about. Still, if they read between the lines it is just a cover to rein in the idiots, as it is wrong to walk around necking beer in certain areas. The police ain't gonna be kicking your door in unless you are being foolish, and turning your den into a full-on pot den, those some will!

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

This decision marks a significant reversal from the country's earlier stance that saw a push towards decriminalization and controlled use, particularly for medical and research purposes.

Anutins vote scam

[bbbbooboo]

Hmm… talk about a Mickey Mouse process. You couldnt make this up ?

[hotchilli]

7 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Strange that they're desperately trying to increase tourist numbers yet criminalising something that undoubtedly attracts quite a few tourists. The left hand doesn't seem to know what the right hand's doing.

I have a darned good idea... the country is run by right handers.

[ignore it]

Must be serious. 

Noticeable decline in weed seller adverts this week.

[AreYouGerman]

8 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Strange that they're desperately trying to increase tourist numbers yet criminalising something that undoubtedly attracts quite a few tourists. The left hand doesn't seem to know what the right hand's doing.

 

China isn't happy that Thailand allowed cannabis to become legal and thus, threatened to stop tourism to Thailand if they don't stop it.

[bkkcanuck8]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

This decision marks a significant reversal from the country's earlier stance that saw a push towards decriminalization and controlled use, particularly for medical and research purposes.

That is what happens when the regulation and enforcement fails to match the 'goal' of decriminalizing it.  It went from illegal to decriminalized, but parts of areas looked like one gigantic dispensary -- which was not medical nor research.  If it had not been so public in that manner, the reclassification drive probably would not have gotten any traction.   I, personally, could not care less about how it is classified (never used). 

[wensiensheng]

3 minutes ago, AreYouGerman said:

 

China isn't happy that Thailand allowed cannabis to become legal and thus, threatened to stop tourism to Thailand if they don't stop it.

Any substantive facts to back that up or just your opinion?

[Morakot]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

 the country is run by right handers.

 

You mean backhanders?

[Moon6966]

On 6/15/2024 at 1:14 AM, rwill said:

What will hurt Thailand worse?  Legalized Marijuana or Legalized Casinos?

 

[Captain Flack]

A post has been removed at the request of the poster and the reply to it.

[sherwood]

14 minutes ago, freeworld said:

Good news.

freeworld, might need to rethink your moniker lf this is your attitude.

[Richard5]

Take one look at Portland OR.  San Fransisco or Seattle WA and about 30% of the rest of America and then rethink your comments. 

[Moon6966]

The power of stupidity and corruption 

Absolutely unbelievable 

Going back to police bribes black market mafia 

Destroy the local shops and the whole local industry 

Keep allow everyone to get drunk on anything they wish. But the most 

Helpful cannabis will be considered as hard drug 

Its never smart people in power to make the decisions only the criminals who support the alcohol and pharmaceutical companies 

[Big Bert]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

They will enforce it, too many people will complain who don't like it, post on social media etc.

Better stock up at the end of the year.

Why, you really think it will be unavailable by the deadline? You have always been able to purchase it here. 

[AreYouGerman]

7 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Any substantive facts to back that up or just your opinion?

 

It would be marked as 'Opinion' in a political context. But it can be facts for you.