High hopes: Anutin’s green light for cannabis bill in Thailand

[webfact]

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed confidence yesterday that the cannabis control bill will be enacted within the tenure of the current coalition government. Meanwhile, a health advocacy group has pushed for a complete ban on recreational cannabis use.

 

The Bhumjaithai Party submitted an initial version of the bill to the House last September. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has since prepared another draft for former Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew to present alongside the Bhumjaithai draft, according to Anutin.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reversed a prior government decision on Tuesday, July 23, regarding the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic drug. Cannabis was decriminalised two years ago.

 

Asked about the likelihood of the bill gaining enough support from coalition parties, Anutin expressed strong optimism, citing two main reasons.

“I believe in the PM’s commitment and clear order (to push to pass the bill), and now this coalition has up to 314 votes to cast in support of the cannabis control bill, unlike the past coalition, which only had 253 votes to do so (when the bill was voted down.”

 

PM Srettha instructed the MoPH on May 8 to amend regulations to allow cannabis to be reclassified as a narcotic drug, while still permitting its use strictly for medical and health promotion purposes.

The health advocacy group, leading a public campaign to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, argued that the Thai premier’s decision to instead push for new regulations would leave loopholes for recreational use. The group presented scientific evidence linking increased cannabis abuse to rising health and mental problems.

 

In a statement yesterday, the group urged the government to first reclassify cannabis as a narcotic to prevent abuse. They advocated for a subsequent urgent law to permit its use strictly for medical purposes, reported Bangkok Post.

Bangkok

 

“We believe this proposal is an ideal solution to all existing conflicts among parties with different opinions on the matter.”

 

The ongoing debate highlights the complexities and differing opinions surrounding cannabis regulation in Thailand.

 

By Bob Scott

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

 

Bangkok

 

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-26

 

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[Gottfrid]

53 minutes ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, a health advocacy group has pushed for a complete ban on recreational cannabis use.

It´s a shame they are allowed to call themselves a name including health with that kind of sick stance.

[Tropicalevo]

Anutin failed to provide a clear policy last time he passed his one and only triumph.

Little chance of things being sorted properly when he keeps on flip flopping, as is his want.

Next decriminalise Yabba?

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, a health advocacy group has pushed for a complete ban on recreational cannabis use.

Yeah well nobody cares what they and other controlling individuals think. If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it. If you don’t want people smoking at your premises, make a point with clear signage etc. 

[daveAustin]

27 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Next decriminalise Yabba?

No. Let’s not be silly now. While mushrooms should probably also be decriminalised, putting weed in the same sentence as yabba makes one look really uninformed. 

[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The group presented scientific evidence linking increased cannabis abuse to rising health and mental problems.

 

What scientific evidence?

I would like to know who conducted the research.

The same people who were polled last time?

[2baht]

12 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

I would like to know who conducted the research.

And if you found out, what next???

[Pouatchee]

7 minutes ago, 2baht said:

And if you found out, what next???

Really?

What do you think?

[TroubleandGrumpy]

Anutin could be the next PM if Srettha is sacked by the Court.  Anutin is letting 'them' know that is what he would do - it is a compromise for their support.  It is also now his Party's position - and as the senior Partner in the coalition Government, then he is also telling them what his Party would accept and support going forward. Simple politics 101. 

[lordgrinz]

Adding another vice to an already lawless society with out-of-control corruption, is the worst idea for the country. Work on eliminating/reducing corruption (and the culture that embraces it), start enforcing existing laws and regulations (abolish the RTP and start over again), only then should they talk about relaxing cannabis laws.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

Next decriminalise Yabba?

Why? What benefits can you possibly see in that?

[rocketboy2]

Every time I hear his name,  it just makes me think of this movie.

 

 

Edited July 26 by rocketboy2

[Snig27]

51 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Adding another vice

 

No, this thread is about weed, already either decriminalised or defacto decriminalised in much of the the world seemingly without much problem.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed confidence yesterday that the cannabis control bill will be enacted within the tenure of the current coalition government

Of course it will, they thrashed out a compromise on the green recently.

Thaksin and Anutin came to an agreement, Cannabis is not criminalised and Anutin will continue to support the PTP.

[MrJ2U]

It seems whatever country it's been legalized in the world it's been successful in lowering crime and increasing tax bases.  All without increased mental health problems.

 

There's definitely some important people not happy with there cut off the profits.

[bob smith]

I am all for the recreational use of cannabis by adults.

 

Regulate it just like cigs and booze and there will be no problems.

 

bob.

Edited July 26 by bob smith

[Bert got kinky]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Anutin failed to provide a clear policy last time he passed his one and only triumph.

Little chance of things being sorted properly when he keeps on flip flopping, as is his want.

Next decriminalise Yabba?

 

 

 

 

[Dazinoz]

Is he "flip" or "flop"?

[Baba Naba]

1 hour ago, Pouatchee said:

Really?

What do you think?

I think you need to give 2 baht his change back... 🙄

Edited July 26 by Baba Naba

[RethairedJarhead]

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

What scientific evidence?

I would like to know who conducted the research.

The same people who were polled last time?

We’d like to know (pun intended)👍

[TheFishman1]

Many countries that legalized it and they didn’t have all this mess of problems here as soon as anybody gets in trouble they blame it on weed they need to get real country is so corrupt. They can’t even find the Red Bull kid. Nobody’s been talking about it. he got kills a cop to Singapore send a note to the doctor that he’s too sick to come back  he’ll be back in a few years driving  aFerrari back in Bangkok TIT

[Pouatchee]

42 minutes ago, Baba Naba said:

I think you need to give 2 baht his change back... 🙄

 

hmmm, good one. i think i gave him my 2 satang already... 

[Pouatchee]

 

6 minutes ago, RethairedJarhead said:

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

What scientific evidence?

I would like to know who conducted the research.

The same people who were polled last time?

We’d like to know (pun intended)👍

 

sorry rethaired i dont get the pun, i even checked the meaning of 'pun' to make sure i wasmt senile yet...

 

Quote

pun

 

noun

1. a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.

   "the pigs were a squeal (if you'll forgive the pun)"

 

maybe my bad... but what 2bahy failed to understand, i guess, is that the whole purpose of a blog is to discuss and question things. i dont hold his what seems to be cynical comment against him cos i know he actually is pro weed. seems like all the anti weed folks are pulling made up facts and polls out of their arses... and that is what needs to be questioned.

 

once again... sorry but i didnt get it ✌️

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Adding another vice to an already lawless society with out-of-control corruption, is the worst idea for the country. Work on eliminating/reducing corruption (and the culture that embraces it), start enforcing existing laws and regulations (abolish the RTP and start over again), only then should they talk about relaxing cannabis laws.

Why would anything you added have any relation to if cannabis is legal or not legal?

[spidermike007]

Legalizing ganja was the right thing to do, it was the morally correct thing to do, and it was rather progressive for Thailand. There's no sense in moving the nation backwards again and going back to a place of reefer madness, and out of control RTP franchisees. Legalizing ganga was likely the only positive thing that Anutin has done in his public career. 

Edited July 26 by spidermike007

[HugoFastor]

2 hours ago, bob smith said:

Regulate it just like cigs and booze and there will be no problems.

It's a great idea, but seemingly nearly impossible in practice. There are literally thousands of small growers in Thailand who distribute through online sales using messaging apps and deliver by messenger. No way you can regulate that as all the networks of buyers and sellers are already in place. 
 

To regulate it would mean pushing all of those small operators out of business and put the distribution back into the hands of a few big cartels, like the ones that now control the alcohol business in Thailand. 
 

Recriminalizing it would have basically done that though by turning anyone who sells it into a criminal and it would have gone back into a black market industry dominated by criminal cartels. 

[LivinLOS]

3 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Adding another vice to an already lawless society with out-of-control corruption, is the worst idea for the country. 

and yet does it add another vice or allow people an option with a less damaging vice ?? 

How many heavy drinkers have cut down their alcohol use self medicating with cannabis ?? 

[crazykopite]

He could be PM next month if the courts find the current PM has been a naughty boy !

[stoner]

3 hours ago, Snig27 said:

3 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Adding another vice

 

No, this thread is about weed, already either decriminalised or defacto decriminalised in much of the the world seemingly without much problem.

 

Cannabis is a vice for many. To deny that is rather silly.

 

Just because a substance is legal doesn't mean it can't be a vice. 

[aussiebrian]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Why? What benefits can you possibly see in that?

I would say all drugs should be legalised or at the least decriminalised. Would you rather the criminals, mafia, crime families to be running the drug trade leading to corruption of police, politicians, judges, murders,  blackmail, including other related crime in weapon sales, large numbers (up to 80%) of people in prisons for drug related crime.. Or.. having it controlled by the government, where people could get education, drug rehabilitation, not tear families apart, better relations of public with police, more time for police to fight real crime?

There should be sensible laws to control of drugs like making it a crime for the seller, selling to children under 18

Drugs are a health issue, the war on drugs has been a horrible failure. 

What on earth is to be gained making them illegal. Many people that go to jail start using hard drugs in jail. If they can't keep drugs out of jails, how do you think making them illegal will stop people them using them or keep them out of society. 

The more crackdowns of drugs, the higher the cost of drugs become, the more incentive there is for people to sell drugs.

There would also be a lot less muggings in the street, scams, house breakings, and insurance policy prices would naturally drop. 

If someone wants to use drugs, making them illegal will not stop them from using them. Look at the current situation we find ourselves in. Try thinking outside the box. If someone wants to overdose on heroin, well let them, they will and can do it now.

Think of the amount of money that would be saved which could be used for rehabilitation and educating people what the drugs do their body, brain and family life. Ex heroin addicts should be going around schools to educate the young from using drugs and where they could end up.