20 hours 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.

 

The Party is caring for their people's health

Being a regular user myself, i do agree with many posters but... lets not forget that anything above 0.2% THC for recreational use has always been illegal. All those that jumped on the bandwaggon trying to make a financial killing knew the risks.

 

17 hours ago, steven100 said:

nonsense .... I think your exaggerating what the effect has.   I doubt the west even knows or cares what they do here. 

Tax revenue    I seriously doubt any or very few paid tax,  I know one thai friend who has a shop and he hasn't paid one satang in tax.   

 

I said banning cannabis would eliminate all its contribution to GDP, employment and tax revenue.  How is that nonsense? Are you saying the contribution to GDP, employment and tax revenue will continue after the prohibition?
 

The fact one shop owner, who may be a tax dodger, hasn't paid tax, doesn't mean there is no tax revenue from the entire industry.  Apart corporate or individual income tax, employees have personal income tax deducted at source and businesses with turnover over 1.8 million are obliged to register for VAT.  The above board contribution to GDP is already estimated close to the size of Thaksin's digital wallet scam which the government claims will miraculously boost GDP growth from 1.5% to 5%.  So, if you remove a nascent sector from GDP entirely what do you assume will be its contribution to future growth or do assume nil real effect because the business will remain the same size but all will go into the black economy which benefits liquidity and indirectly boosts official GDP, even if not counted in the official numbers?

10 minutes ago, WHansen said:

Being a regular user myself, i do agree with many posters but... lets not forget that anything above 0.2% THC for recreational use has always been illegal. All those that jumped on the bandwaggon trying to make a financial killing knew the risks.

 

 

Nonsense 😊

Two years later and you still don't understand.

17 hours ago, tgw said:

 

apparently, there are only "plans" to make it illegal again.

 

this is Thailand, also known as the hub of unrealized plans.

 

but I have questions about the legal cannabis now (I know nothing about drugs or cannabis) :

- is the legal stuff currently sold of satisfactory quality (I read about THC limits, whatever that is, I suppose it's the actual drug active ingredient) ?

- is the legal stuff cheaper than the illegal stuff was ?

 

There are no THC limits with regard to the plant. The limits mentioned are for extracts made from the plant.

It's crazy that two years later people still haven't quite grasped this. It's not 'rocket science' 😊

On 7/8/2024 at 8:48 AM, webfact said:

 

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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It's an open secret that China is pushing hard for this somersault backwards because even the hint of a tourist having had fun and un-comunist and tolerance-improving experiences can get them into jail when flying back home. Thailand is right smack in the center of what CCP China regards as their god given circle of influence and we all know they do not take prisoners, not even in other countries' homegrounds or seas. A SEA country that creates it;s own liberal ideas , where will that lead and what next? Laos back to the Laotians, Mekhong with water? Cambodia with free speech?  Oooops, Thailand has already legalised LGBT, what to do about that?...no worries,  CCP has started building a navy base at Sihanoukville, just to make sure SEA nations don't get any ideas. Legalising cannabis, who's ever heard of such a thing? Next is an elected party in government ....and then democracy? Or tarifs on the home industry-killing flood of chinese cars and Ali-goods. And Chinese tourists come back to Xipingistan with switched on brains and the "real history" , the emperor's heaven help us.

The industry should mount a class action lawsuit against the government. Can you do that in Thailand?

It will be as illegal as prostitution is.