Cannabis Controversy: Is Thailand Ready to Recriminalize Marijuana?

[webfact]

Anutin Charnvirakul supports the legalisation of Cannabis in Thailand. (FILE PHOTO)

 

A hundred years ago, cannabis was completely legal in Thailand and was widely used in food, medicine, and for making hemp fiber. Today, it is also legal, but this might change soon.

 

Recently, there have been signs that cannabis, known locally as ganja, might be classified as a narcotic again, like it was for most of the last century.

 

**Herb with History**

 

Humans have been using cannabis for thousands of years. It is believed that cannabis arrived in Thailand from India, where it is used in religious ceremonies and traditional medicine, reported Thai PBS.

 

Over the centuries, Thais have used ganja for various purposes, such as soothing tired muscles and relieving pain. However, concerns about its intoxicating effects led to the banning of cannabis possession, sale, and use in 1934.

 

Thailand's stance on cannabis became stricter over time, especially after signing three United Nations conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

 

In 1975, Thailand issued a law on psychotropic substances that included cannabis. In 1982, the country reinforced its stance with the Narcotics Act, imposing jail terms and fines on those caught using, possessing, or trafficking cannabis.

 

When Thailand decriminalized marijuana in June 2022, 4,075 prisoners convicted of cannabis-related offenses were released.

 

**Journey to Legalization**

 

Five years ago, few imagined that marijuana would become legal in Thailand again. Decha Siriphat, director of the Khao Kwan Foundation for sustainable agriculture, faced trouble for giving cannabis oil to cancer patients in palliative care. Decha studied the benefits of cannabis after seeing his mother suffer from cancer.

 

Hope grew that Decha would avoid jail after the Bhumjaithai Party made marijuana legalization a key election policy. The policy allowed each household to grow up to six cannabis plants to help with pain and poverty.

 

After the 2019 election, Bhumjaithai joined the coalition government, and its leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, became the public health minister. Under his leadership, cannabis for medical use was legalized before the end of 2019.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the Marijuana and Hemp Act, but cannabis was finally decriminalized on December 9, 2021. Anutin also removed ganja from the narcotics list, making it fully legal.

 

The cannabis market boomed, with shops and dispensaries opening nationwide, and the herb being used in everything from food to cosmetics.

 

**Returning to the Narcotics List?**

 

However, the unregulated use of recreational marijuana caused concern. Several medical groups warned about rising cannabis consumption and abuse. In response, the Public Health Ministry banned smoking cannabis in public and restricted the sale of cannabis buds, the plant's psychoactive part.

 

The ruling Pheu Thai Party has long opposed marijuana legalization. In May, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin instructed the Public Health Ministry to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic and limit its use to medical purposes only.

 

On July 5, the National Narcotics Committee decided to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic. The National Narcotics Control Board will soon meet to discuss this issue.

 

If the board agrees, cannabis will become illegal again. However, Anutin, now a deputy prime minister and interior minister, is trying to prevent this.

 

Meanwhile, the status of cannabis in Thailand remains uncertain.

 

-- 2024-07-25

 

- 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

[stoner]

nothing to worry about he is on the board and in control of the senate. masterful moves. keep fighting the good fight anutin. 

 

 

[nobodysfriend]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

On July 5, the National Narcotics Committee decided to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic. The National Narcotics Control Board will soon meet to discuss this issue.

 

Just yesterday I read here that Cannabis won't be recriminalized , but controlled by laws ...

Reporting seem hazardous at best ... One hand does not know what the other hand does ( writes ) ?

 

 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Recently, there have been signs that cannabis, known locally as ganja, might be classified as a narcotic again, like it was for most of the last century

Anutin will do a back room deal with Thaksin,

Anutin wants Cannabis to remain legalised, Thaksin needs Anutin to stay in power.

[Butts]

These Creeps care nothing for the People only Money and Power..... Legalize and control all "DRUGS" watch the black market drug gangs (sadly there kick backs) vanish!!!

[bristolgeoff]

It worked except some at the top did not get a cut not sure about that. But a mistake  for sure and it worked  well being legal

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

If the board agrees, cannabis will become illegal again. However, Anutin, now a deputy prime minister and interior minister, is trying to prevent this.

For cannabis policies that deny cannabis historical place and acceptance in Thailand, why not do a public referendum on the issue? No controlled surveys. No political smears. Let the People decide.

[JimboB4]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Anutin Charnvirakul supports the legalisation of Cannabis in Thailand. (FILE PHOTO)

 

A hundred years ago, cannabis was completely legal in Thailand and was widely used in food, medicine, and for making hemp fiber. Today, it is also legal, but this might change soon.

 

Recently, there have been signs that cannabis, known locally as ganja, might be classified as a narcotic again, like it was for most of the last century.

 

**Herb with History**

 

Humans have been using cannabis for thousands of years. It is believed that cannabis arrived in Thailand from India, where it is used in religious ceremonies and traditional medicine, reported Thai PBS.

 

Over the centuries, Thais have used ganja for various purposes, such as soothing tired muscles and relieving pain. However, concerns about its intoxicating effects led to the banning of cannabis possession, sale, and use in 1934.

 

 

Thailand's stance on cannabis became stricter over time, especially after signing three United Nations conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

 

In 1975, Thailand issued a law on psychotropic substances that included cannabis. In 1982, the country reinforced its stance with the Narcotics Act, imposing jail terms and fines on those caught using, possessing, or trafficking cannabis.

 

When Thailand decriminalized marijuana in June 2022, 4,075 prisoners convicted of cannabis-related offenses were released.

 

**Journey to Legalization**

 

Five years ago, few imagined that marijuana would become legal in Thailand again. Decha Siriphat, director of the Khao Kwan Foundation for sustainable agriculture, faced trouble for giving cannabis oil to cancer patients in palliative care. Decha studied the benefits of cannabis after seeing his mother suffer from cancer.

 

Hope grew that Decha would avoid jail after the Bhumjaithai Party made marijuana legalization a key election policy. The policy allowed each household to grow up to six cannabis plants to help with pain and poverty.

 

After the 2019 election, Bhumjaithai joined the coalition government, and its leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, became the public health minister. Under his leadership, cannabis for medical use was legalized before the end of 2019.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the Marijuana and Hemp Act, but cannabis was finally decriminalized on December 9, 2021. Anutin also removed ganja from the narcotics list, making it fully legal.

 

The cannabis market boomed, with shops and dispensaries opening nationwide, and the herb being used in everything from food to cosmetics.

 

**Returning to the Narcotics List?**

 

However, the unregulated use of recreational marijuana caused concern. Several medical groups warned about rising cannabis consumption and abuse. In response, the Public Health Ministry banned smoking cannabis in public and restricted the sale of cannabis buds, the plant's psychoactive part.

 

The ruling Pheu Thai Party has long opposed marijuana legalization. In May, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin instructed the Public Health Ministry to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic and limit its use to medical purposes only.

 

On July 5, the National Narcotics Committee decided to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic. The National Narcotics Control Board will soon meet to discuss this issue.

 

If the board agrees, cannabis will become illegal again. However, Anutin, now a deputy prime minister and interior minister, is trying to prevent this.

 

Meanwhile, the status of cannabis in Thailand remains uncertain.

 

-- 2024-07-25

 

- 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

They’re not 😂 they just announced that they’re not putting it on the narcotics list again it’ll never be criminalized ever again. 🙂 

[JimboB4]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Anutin Charnvirakul supports the legalisation of Cannabis in Thailand. (FILE PHOTO)

 

A hundred years ago, cannabis was completely legal in Thailand and was widely used in food, medicine, and for making hemp fiber. Today, it is also legal, but this might change soon.

 

Recently, there have been signs that cannabis, known locally as ganja, might be classified as a narcotic again, like it was for most of the last century.

 

**Herb with History**

 

Humans have been using cannabis for thousands of years. It is believed that cannabis arrived in Thailand from India, where it is used in religious ceremonies and traditional medicine, reported Thai PBS.

 

Over the centuries, Thais have used ganja for various purposes, such as soothing tired muscles and relieving pain. However, concerns about its intoxicating effects led to the banning of cannabis possession, sale, and use in 1934.

 

 

Thailand's stance on cannabis became stricter over time, especially after signing three United Nations conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

 

In 1975, Thailand issued a law on psychotropic substances that included cannabis. In 1982, the country reinforced its stance with the Narcotics Act, imposing jail terms and fines on those caught using, possessing, or trafficking cannabis.

 

When Thailand decriminalized marijuana in June 2022, 4,075 prisoners convicted of cannabis-related offenses were released.

 

**Journey to Legalization**

 

Five years ago, few imagined that marijuana would become legal in Thailand again. Decha Siriphat, director of the Khao Kwan Foundation for sustainable agriculture, faced trouble for giving cannabis oil to cancer patients in palliative care. Decha studied the benefits of cannabis after seeing his mother suffer from cancer.

 

Hope grew that Decha would avoid jail after the Bhumjaithai Party made marijuana legalization a key election policy. The policy allowed each household to grow up to six cannabis plants to help with pain and poverty.

 

After the 2019 election, Bhumjaithai joined the coalition government, and its leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, became the public health minister. Under his leadership, cannabis for medical use was legalized before the end of 2019.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the Marijuana and Hemp Act, but cannabis was finally decriminalized on December 9, 2021. Anutin also removed ganja from the narcotics list, making it fully legal.

 

The cannabis market boomed, with shops and dispensaries opening nationwide, and the herb being used in everything from food to cosmetics.

 

**Returning to the Narcotics List?**

 

However, the unregulated use of recreational marijuana caused concern. Several medical groups warned about rising cannabis consumption and abuse. In response, the Public Health Ministry banned smoking cannabis in public and restricted the sale of cannabis buds, the plant's psychoactive part.

 

The ruling Pheu Thai Party has long opposed marijuana legalization. In May, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin instructed the Public Health Ministry to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic and limit its use to medical purposes only.

 

On July 5, the National Narcotics Committee decided to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic. The National Narcotics Control Board will soon meet to discuss this issue.

 

If the board agrees, cannabis will become illegal again. However, Anutin, now a deputy prime minister and interior minister, is trying to prevent this.

 

Meanwhile, the status of cannabis in Thailand remains uncertain.

 

-- 2024-07-25

 

- 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

🤣😂😂 the uncertainty is literally gone they announced no reintroduction to the narcotic list. The people on this site who writes these articles in English are idiots. 

[pacovl46]

As long as alcohol is legal, banning weed is a farce because alcohol does way more damage, not only to the addicted, but also to their social environment like family for example! But of course the big wigs are oblivious to that fact because they like to get their drink on! 

 

[JimboB4]

I’m going to keep buying it you don’t have to scare the market into buying it more. Regardless it appears the legalized future of weed is extremely certain at this point. If that’s what these totally ridiculous articles are really about. 💨 💨 

[lordgrinz]

1 hour ago, Butts said:

These Creeps care nothing for the People only Money and Power..... Legalize and control all "DRUGS" watch the black market drug gangs (sadly there kick backs) vanish!!!

 

Yes, switch to Elite, MP's, and RTP who will take over the distribution of the "kick backs".

[cnx101]

1 hour ago, Butts said:

These Creeps care nothing for the People only Money and Power..... Legalize and control all "DRUGS" watch the black market drug gangs (sadly there kick backs) vanish!!!

Yes in every country 

[Thingamabob]

The article ignores the recent update on this subject, namely that cannabis will not be recriminalised but will be regulated along similar lines to alcohol and cigarettes.

[Jackbenimble]

2 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

Just yesterday I read here that Cannabis won't be recriminalized , but controlled by laws ...

Reporting seem hazardous at best ... One hand does not know what the other hand does ( writes ) ?

 

 

I think the standard of journalism worldwide is appalling. God knows who pays their wages and why.....instead of reporting the news they think it's ok to create it & then publish and be damned. Dreadful. And sad. No fact checking is done any more either.....it's another nail in their coffin as people no longer take the "news" seriously.

[movsrus]

Do Thai authorities think that making it illegal people will stop smoking? If so, I'd like a couple puffs of whatever they are smoking. Where do they think all the ganja from producers will go? The government isn't going to reimburse investors who built grow labs, developed a distribution networks and invested in shops.

 

What will happen is those who want to get high will buy from the black market. So much for the VAT the government gets from production and sale of ganja. Many folks working in the dispensary side of things will be out of work but I guess the government thinks good jobs are everywhere so they will quickly find something else.

 

Lastly, remember what it  was like in Bangkok priot to Prayut and his gang taking over. Many reports of shakedown by cops with fake pee tests and "finding" a yaba pill in a tourists pocket. The BIB will soon be adding to their take with bribes and kickbacks from tourists who still think it is legal in Thailand to smoke pot.

 

Another fine example of Thai politics. 

[ignore it]

2 hours ago, Butts said:

These Creeps care nothing for the People only Money and Power..... Legalize and control all "DRUGS" watch the black market drug gangs (sadly there kick backs) vanish!!!

 

 

Yeah, what's with this prescription BS?

 

You used to be able to get all kinds of interesting stuff.

 

 

[john donson]

hub of flip flops

 

it was never illegal and used as pain medicine... till USA banned it because of competition of the wood industry... nothing more, nothing less

[brianthainess]

It won't make a jot of difference, those that were smoking before it was legal will just carry on. 

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Anutin will do a back room deal with Thaksin,

Anutin wants Cannabis to remain legalised, Thaksin needs Anutin to stay in power.

The problem with Thaksin is that he said, before coming back, that ganja was as bad as Opium, this just shows his education on the subject.

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, Jackbenimble said:

I think the standard of journalism worldwide is appalling. God knows who pays their wages and why.....instead of reporting the news they think it's ok to create it & then publish and be damned. Dreadful. And sad. No fact checking is done any more either.....it's another nail in their coffin as people no longer take the "news" seriously.

Agree and using AI to write the stories is lazy to say the least, even like cheating IMO

[nakhonandy]

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

The article ignores the recent update on this subject, namely that cannabis will not be recriminalised but will be regulated along similar lines to alcohol and cigarettes.

Exactly, I read the same article.

I don't think they can re-criminalise it as there is just too much money involved and a lot of Thai big business is involved.

[kwaussie]

Its no good trying to close the barn doors after the horse has bolted.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

The problem with Thaksin is that he said, before coming back, that ganja was as bad as Opium, this just shows his education on the subject.

They need each other, not so much like bed mates but a bit like opposite sides of a coin.

I'm sure by the end of the 18th hole they will have worked something out

[Shocked farang]

8 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

As long as alcohol is legal, banning weed is a farce because alcohol does way more damage, not only to the addicted, but also to their social environment like family for example! But of course the big wigs are oblivious to that fact because they like to get their drink on! 

 

I don't know the reason that so many people keep on comparing Cannabis with alcohol.

1) People who drink, usually don't like cannabis.

2) Anyone who has the experience of both knows the effects are completely different.

3) Both can be harmful depending on how they are used.

4) Alcohol sure doesn't have any medicinal usage while cannabis definetly does.

 

[pacovl46]

3 hours ago, Shocked farang said:

I don't know the reason that so many people keep on comparing Cannabis with alcohol.

1) People who drink, usually don't like cannabis.

2) Anyone who has the experience of both knows the effects are completely different.

3) Both can be harmful depending on how they are used.

4) Alcohol sure doesn't have any medicinal usage while cannabis definetly does.

 

 

1. I know lots of people who drink and consume cannabis.

 

2. & 3. It's not about what the effects are. It's about alcohol, a cytotoxic substance, that can lead to a much more severe addiction than cannabis ever will, that does way more harm than any other drug, is legal while cannabis isn't. Where's the point in that?

 

4. Alcohol is probably the best disinfectant there is.

[RethairedJarhead]

This article is Clickbait sponsored by the bug identifier😄

[GammaGlobulin]

14 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

Reporting seem hazardous at best

 

Did you mean:

 

Reporting on the hazardous cannabis is most haphazard.

?

 

[GammaGlobulin]

10 hours ago, john donson said:

hub of flip flops

 

it was never illegal and used as pain medicine... till USA banned it because of competition of the wood industry... nothing more, nothing less

 

Blatant untruth, of course.

Neither the paper industry nor the lumber industry had anything to do with banning of cannibis.

That is BALONEY, and don't listen to pro-marijuana activist named Jack Herer.

 

 

The guy is probably a nutcase and also may suffer from psychosis brought on by smoking too much weed.

 

 

What a Weed-Whacking Wacko!

 

 

[Shocked farang]

7 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

 

1. I know lots of people who drink and consume cannabis.

 

2. & 3. It's not about what the effects are. It's about alcohol, a cytotoxic substance, that can lead to a much more severe addiction than cannabis ever will, that does way more harm than any other drug, is legal while cannabis isn't. Where's the point in that?

 

4. Alcohol is probably the best disinfectant there is.

You say Cannabis is not legal. In Thailand it's 100% legal.