Thailand to Control Cannabis Use through Laws, Not by Re-categorising it as a Narcotic

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced that the country will attempt to control cannabis use through laws, rather than reverting to categorizing it as a narcotic. This comes as a change in policy direction.

 

Anutin thanked Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for deciding to control cannabis usage via legislation. The PM, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, and Anutin had discussions on Tuesday during which the Prime Minister gave instructions to draft a law managing cannabis rather than classifying it as a narcotic again.

 

Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the Prime Minister stated that whether cannabis is considered a narcotic or not, will depend on parliamentary discussions on a draft law.

 

In 2022, Thailand became one of the first Asian countries to decriminalize marijuana, with Anutin serving as the health minister. This brought about an increase in recreational usage and sparked public concern about abuse.

 

The Bhumjaithai Party, which has always supported decriminalizing cannabis for medicinal and economical uses, had drafted a bill to manage its use. However, it didn't get passed. Currently, the Pheu Thai Party-led government maintains that recreational use of cannabis will not be permitted under the new laws being drawn up by the Ministry of Public Health.

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha previously said that cannabis would be added back to the narcotics list, but exemptions would be made for medical use and research. Drafting of these rules should be completed by the year-end.

 

The country's marijuana retail sector has seen tremendous growth, with tens of thousands of businesses opening in the past two years. The industry is estimated to be valued up to $2 billion by 2025.

 

Anutin, who also serves as the interior minister, mentioned that the draft bill will handle how the cannabis industry is regulated, and political parties may present drafts in parliament. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board proposed to implement changes, beginning January 1, 2025, giving a buffer period for operators to adjust and apply for new licenses.

 

The new rules would ban the possession, import, and sale of cannabis unless licensed by the Ministry of Public Health. Cannabis components with low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content will not be re-criminalized.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-07-23

 

- Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[Tropicalevo]

Don't worry.

Anutin will flip-flop again.

There will be more changes.

He appears to struggle with the truth.

[smedly]

57 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced that the country will attempt to control cannabis use through laws

who is running this country

 

what law enforcement 

[Soupdragon]

58 minutes ago, smedly said:

who is running this country

 

what law enforcement 

They lost the double sided coin.....Now it really is down to chance 🙂

[HugoFastor]

Still plenty of time for dozens more flip-flops in the hub of U-turns before the end of the year, but this is the intended and expected eventual conclusion. 

[dinsdale]

If it happens that regulation rather than recriminalisation will actually occur then this is the logical move. Let's see what plays out and what "laws" will come into play. One thing is for sure Thaksin will not be happy. I wonder what behind doors negotiations have taken place. 

[Pouatchee]

lemme guess, recreational use will be allowed but only if you smoke the leafs, stem or roots.

attaaaa boy sretta

wonder what taks_ _ t thinks about this new policy

[Pouatchee]

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The new rules would ban the possession,

 

wth is this supposed to mean?

ya buy from a regulated shop and as soon as you walk out the door you can get arrested?

[CallumWK]

4 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

attaaaa boy sretta

wonder what taks_ _ t thinks about this new policy

 

Who do you think decided on the new rules?

[AnotherOneHere]

1 minute ago, Pouatchee said:

 

wth is this supposed to mean?

ya buy from a regulated shop and as soon as you walk out the door you can get arrested?

 

Can't you junkies just inject it right in the shop if you really need it that bad? Do you have to bring drugs out where the children are?

[Pouatchee]

Just now, AnotherOneHere said:

 

Can't you junkies just inject it right in the shop if you really need it that bad? Do you have to bring drugs out where the children are?

 

idiotic right wing comment. what do you know about weed? 

furthermore, i cant smoke anything anymore be it weed or ciggies, but i am against putting potheads in jail. get a life

[kwilco]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced that the country will attempt to control cannabis use through laws, rather than reverting to categorizing it as a narcotic. This comes as a change in policy direction.

 

Anutin thanked Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for deciding to control cannabis usage via legislation. The PM, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, and Anutin had discussions on Tuesday during which the Prime Minister gave instructions to draft a law managing cannabis rather than classifying it as a narcotic again.

 

Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the Prime Minister stated that whether cannabis is considered a narcotic or not, will depend on parliamentary discussions on a draft law.

 

In 2022, Thailand became one of the first Asian countries to decriminalize marijuana, with Anutin serving as the health minister. This brought about an increase in recreational usage and sparked public concern about abuse.

 

The Bhumjaithai Party, which has always supported decriminalizing cannabis for medicinal and economical uses, had drafted a bill to manage its use. However, it didn't get passed. Currently, the Pheu Thai Party-led government maintains that recreational use of cannabis will not be permitted under the new laws being drawn up by the Ministry of Public Health.

 

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha previously said that cannabis would be added back to the narcotics list, but exemptions would be made for medical use and research. Drafting of these rules should be completed by the year-end.

 

The country's marijuana retail sector has seen tremendous growth, with tens of thousands of businesses opening in the past two years. The industry is estimated to be valued up to $2 billion by 2025.

 

Anutin, who also serves as the interior minister, mentioned that the draft bill will handle how the cannabis industry is regulated, and political parties may present drafts in parliament. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board proposed to implement changes, beginning January 1, 2025, giving a buffer period for operators to adjust and apply for new licenses.

 

The new rules would ban the possession, import, and sale of cannabis unless licensed by the Ministry of Public Health. Cannabis components with low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content will not be re-criminalized.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-07-23

 

- Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Sounds - dare I say it - sensible?

[kwilco]

8 hours ago, AnotherOneHere said:

 

Can't you junkies just inject it right in the shop if you really need it that bad? Do you have to bring drugs out where the children are?

THat comment is spo wrong on so many levels - are you trying to be satirical?

[DonniePeverley]

Embarassing for the PM Stretta. 

 

 

[thesetat2013]

9 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

wth is this supposed to mean?

ya buy from a regulated shop and as soon as you walk out the door you can get arrested?

Probably not, but best to keep the handy brown envelope ready just in case

[fasteddie]

Phew! Skin up chaps

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Don't worry.

Anutin will flip-flop again.

There will be more changes.

He appears to struggle with the truth.

I wonder if Anutin told Srettha that if they recriminalise  cannabis the Bhumjaithai Party would walk away from the coalition?

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

If it happens that regulation rather than recriminalisation will actually occur then this is the logical move. Let's see what plays out and what "laws" will come into play. One thing is for sure Thaksin will not be happy. I wonder what behind doors negotiations have taken place. 

New laws that will be exploited or ignored.

[Classic Ray]

If they opt for more regulation and licensing, will it be only large corporations owned by favoured families who will be able to afford and be granted the licences?

 

This is what happens in the alcoholic beverages industry.

[Johno57]

Once again interpretation of any laws or guidelines in thailand will be clouded and therefore open to ridicule and corruption...

[Brn2Trvl]

The lightbulb ‘taxes’ switched on.

[ezzra]

As if everything else in this country is hunky dory that this government is wasting to much time and efforts on 

a trivial matter... but those talking heads has to make a noise about something ' hey look at me, i have an opinion too'...

[stoner]

i never lost faith in you anutin. way to go. 

[thailand49]

PM, maybe this was all done to get some new brown envelopes.

Before they opened the can of worms maybe thinking it out might have dawn on them like legislation first 🤔

[2baht]

10 hours ago, AnotherOneHere said:

 

Can't you junkies just inject it right in the shop if you really need it that bad? Do you have to bring drugs out where the children are?

I tried but the needle keeps blocking up with resin? Do you think it would work up the nose???

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

country will attempt

Well, this says it all😳

[JCCR6]

So classifying something as a narcotic isn’t using the law? 

[john donson]

laws to control use, works so well for meth, cocaine, alcohol (that kills a lot of people, drunk driving, drunk STABBINGS)

[JensenZ]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In 2022, Thailand became one of the first Asian countries to decriminalize marijuana

Assuming they're talking about recreational use, it's not "one of the first", but the only Asian country.

[JimboB4]

There is great news about it and this article STILL attempts to lie and downplay it or spin it. Here’s what’s actually happening according to shop owners getting it directly from the government. 
 

Everything will continue the same way until New Year's Eve

He said, 

 

changes: 

“Street vendors will be removed and smoking will not be allowed in open areas.

 

There is no apparent problem

 

we will continue to be free to smoke and buy exactly what is available now.”

 

Once again I told you so. I’ve enjoyed proving you all wrong about this since 2019. 🙂