In a bold move to influence governmental policy, marijuana advocates have commenced a hunger strike at Chamai Maruchet Bridge, directly in front of Government House.

 

This protest, initiated by the Network Writing the Future of Cannabis, urgently calls for a comprehensive inquiry before the government proceeds with its plans to reclassify marijuana as a narcotics substance by the year's end.

 

Leading the charge are high-profile network members including Mr. Prasitschai Noonual, Mr. Akhordesh Sekajinda, and Ms. Chokwang "Kitty" Chophaka.

 

They argue that marijuana, which has been utilized as a medicinal plant for over a millennium, is being unfairly targeted for reclassification without a just trial.

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

The group feels strongly that the plant is being judged based on misplaced biases rather than scientific evidence and reasoned discourse.

 

Their concerns are particularly poignant considering that just a year ago, on June 9, 2022, Thailand became the first Asian nation to decriminalize the recreational use of marijuana, building upon its legalization for medical purposes in 2018.

 

Since this liberalization, the local marijuana market has flourished unusually quickly, opening up significant economic potential which, according to Reuters, could see the industry grow to a value of $1.2 billion by 2025, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

The protesters are advocating for the establishment of a joint committee to accurately assess marijuana on several fronts: health impacts compared to tobacco and alcohol, social consequences, medicinal benefits, and potential to cause psychiatric issues.

 

Their insistence on an inquiry seeks to ensure any legislative decision is informed by empirical evidence and comprehensive study rather than reactionary measures.

 

As the situation develops, the hunger strike and its demands highlight the complex interplay between cultural norms, economic interests, and health policy in the evolving discourse on marijuana use in Thailand.

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

-- 2024-07-11

 

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they're bound to get the munchies sooner or later

54 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

 

they're bound to get the munchies sooner or later

 

Police will break the strike by handing out spliffs and deploying the Special Psychological Assault Unit:

 

 

 

 

"establishment of a joint committee", was that accidental or clever? 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

calls for a comprehensive inquiry

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The group feels strongly that the plant is being judged based on misplaced biases rather than scientific evidence and reasoned discourse.

 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

could see the industry grow to a value of $1.2 billion by 2025

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

seeks to ensure any legislative decision is informed by empirical evidence and comprehensive study rather than reactionary measures.

If anyone can tell me why these aren't reasonable demands I'd like to know why.

me so hungy. 

 

I skipped breakfast today in support of these smoking justice warriors.

 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In a bold move to influence governmental policy, marijuana advocates have commenced a hunger strike at Chamai Maruchet Bridge, directly in front of Government House.

This government allows hunger strikers to pass away... 

3 hours ago, it is what it is said:

 

they're bound to get the munchies sooner or later

They'll miss the laced cookies.

26 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

 

 

 

If anyone can tell me why these aren't reasonable demands I'd like to know why.

Thailand is a backward country in many ways and the Gunja issue is one of them, when a politician pick an issue and takes upon himself to be the crusader of this issue right or wrong, just to show that he's the boss and he knows better, there's isn't much

you can do about it... 

A lot of what this government does is incomprehensible and not based on facts .

The Cannabis issue certainly shows this .

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

"establishment of a joint committee", was that accidental or clever? 

 

Clever. The term 'spliff committee' just doesn't have the same 'ring' to it. 😀

those plants in the picture look like they are on a hunger strike too. 

spray them with overripe durian juice

all 100 of them

 

thailand has enough to deal with on the roads without adding a pile of potheads of their heads drinking driving and smoking weed - omg 

5 minutes ago, smedly said:

all 100 of them

 

thailand has enough to deal with on the roads without adding a pile of potheads of their heads drinking driving and smoking weed - omg 

This is exactly the the attitude that's behind the reclassification rhetoric. Based on emotional response rather than logical, evidence based argument.

Just in case they haven't noticed the Thai government doesn't give a flying F about hunger strikers.  

 

55 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

This is exactly the the attitude that's behind the reclassification rhetoric. Based on emotional response rather than logical, evidence based argument.

The evidence says pot contains plant toxins as well as heavy metal toxins.  There is literally zero use for it. It harms your long term health in all cases. Not to mention the toxic smoke it creates.

 

4 minutes ago, at15 said:

The evidence says pot contains plant toxins as well as heavy metal toxins.  There is literally zero use for it. It harms your long term health in all cases. Not to mention the toxic smoke it creates.

 

Could you please link this evidence you speak of.

10 minutes ago, at15 said:

The evidence says pot contains plant toxins as well as heavy metal toxins.  There is literally zero use for it. It harms your long term health in all cases. Not to mention the toxic smoke it creates.

 

That's why bongs are used.....init.......

2 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

A lot of what this government does is incomprehensible and not based on facts

With Thaksin at the head it is no surprise, he said before coming back that Opium is the same as ganga, this alone shows the stupid thinking of the government, like letting Russians flock in, without a clue on their culture.    

23 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Could you please link this evidence you speak of.

 I doubt it 🙂

53 minutes ago, at15 said:

There is literally zero use for it.

Except for medicine, fuel, paper, food, rope, maps, clothes, nets, lace, soap, sails, shoes, plastics, explosives, caulking, fiberboard, paint, sealant, methanol, gasoline, fibre for fuel, bricks, charcoal, auto bodies, packing mass, lubricants, oil for lighting, oil for fuel, oil for lights, animal food, furniture, mats, varnish, lotions, ointments, lacquer, salad dressings....

11 minutes ago, patman30 said:

Except for medicine, fuel, paper, food, rope, maps, clothes, nets, lace, soap, sails, shoes, plastics, explosives, caulking, fiberboard, paint, sealant, methanol, gasoline, fibre for fuel, bricks, charcoal, auto bodies, packing mass, lubricants, oil for lighting, oil for fuel, oil for lights, animal food, furniture, mats, varnish, lotions, ointments, lacquer, salad dressings....

 

stop it, it's really bad and smells funny. 

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This is exactly the the attitude that's behind the reclassification rhetoric. Based on emotional response rather than logical, evidence based argument.

my approach is purely based on a sensible approach to the appalling road safety record in thailand, call that emotional if you want, the bottom line - we don't need another drug on the roads in thailand for the police to (not) deal with, I don't care if you smoke weed or not - I did years ago and it was the best way to experience pink floyd the wall 🙂 but i did that in my own home not driving, and there is the problem

Marijuana Protesters Go On Hunger Strike To Push For Enquiry.

 

There problem ,they don't have to go on a diet than will they.

You bet  They'll get hungry after a while. 🫠

I mean I support the cause but how stupid -- or stoned -- do you have to be to think forgoing snacks will result in positive change?

1 hour ago, smedly said:

my approach is purely based on a sensible approach to the appalling road safety record in thailand

 

err, that's funny, from where I sit it looks like your approach is based on faulty logic and a lack of  common sense

5 hours ago, smedly said:

my approach is purely based on a sensible approach to the appalling road safety record in thailand, call that emotional if you want, the bottom line - we don't need another drug on the roads in thailand for the police to (not) deal with

Well I guess if data was shown that dope alone is a significant contributor to road safety the you will have a point. Personally I go a lot slower after a smoke as opposed to faster after alcohol.