Cannabis Extracts Face Stricter Controls Amid Regulatory Shift

[webfact]

FILE - A marijuana plant is seen at a medical marijuana dispensary in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., March 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

 

The Thai Public Health Ministry announced plans to tighten regulations on cannabis and hemp extracts, which are classified as Type 5 narcotics. This move, approved by the cabinet, aims to regulate the production, import, export, sale, and possession of these substances more stringently.

 

Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lukboon, the secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), revealed that the new ministerial regulations will undergo scrutiny by the Council of State to ensure legal compliance.

 

These proposed regulations will establish detailed processes for obtaining, renewing, and paying for licenses related to cannabis and hemp extracts. These activities are primarily for medical, commercial, industrial, and scientific research purposes, with an emphasis on controlling this burgeoning sector.

The draft regulation highlights that those lacking proper licenses will face penalties up to five years in prison and fines up to 500,000 baht. Notably, the commercial misuse or sale to individuals under 18 years of age attracts heavier consequences, including up to 15 years' imprisonment and fines of 1.5 million baht.

 

The recent developments also link to a wider discussion involving cross-national concerns. On Monday, Pol Lt Gen Phanurat met with British Ambassador Mark Gooding.

 

Both parties, alongside representatives from the Royal Thai Police and the Customs Department, discussed measures to combat the smuggling of cannabis from Thailand to the UK.

 

British authorities reported over 200 cannabis smugglers connected to Thailand have been detained this year. The meeting explored collaborative efforts, such as data-sharing with the UK's National Crime Agency and training programmes aimed at enhancing drug analysis capabilities of AoT personnel in Thailand.

 

This regulatory evolution reflects Thailand's intent to balance the therapeutic potential of cannabis with robust legal frameworks to curb misuse and illegal distribution channels, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-10-10

 

[dinsdale]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

These proposed regulations will establish detailed processes for obtaining, renewing, and paying for licenses related to cannabis and hemp extracts. These activities are primarily for medical, commercial, industrial, and scientific research purposes, with an emphasis on controlling this burgeoning sector.

 

Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. The "burgeoning" in the "burgeoning sector" worth billions of baht is NOT in the "medical, commercial, industrial and scientific research...." area. It's in the recreation use market. This is Thaksin. Thailand will be much better off when this man dies.

[Gsxrnz]

I'm thinking bolting horses and barn doors. 

[redwood1]

These proposed regulations will establish detailed processes for obtaining, renewing, and paying for licenses related to cannabis and hemp extracts......

 

 

 

Well its pretty clear what this means......They are cooking up a looong loooong list of new hoop jumping requirements....Probably designed to push out the small players....Kind of like the big players control almost all of the alcoholic beverage market in Thailand....

Unfortunately  for them weed only requires a fraction of the investment required to produce alcohol on a commercial level.

 

 

Edited October 10 by redwood1

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai Public Health Ministry announced plans to tighten regulations on cannabis and hemp extracts, which are classified as Type 5 narcotics. This move, approved by the cabinet, aims to regulate the production, import, export, sale, and possession of these substances more stringently.

More like stay as they are... buy what you want on every street corner for personal use.

[Spock]

5 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. The "burgeoning" in the "burgeoning sector" worth billions of baht is NOT in the "medical, commercial, industrial and scientific research...." area. It's in the recreation use market. This is Thaksin. Thailand will be much better off when this man dies.

100% agree with the 'This is Thaksin' and the next bit about dying. No recreational marijuana and I will be returning to Laos and Cambodia where it is readily available for my winter break next year. How to bugger up a country!

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

More like stay as they are... buy what you want on every street corner for personal use.

I think recreational use needs to be legal but regulated. Not difficult. Same goes for vapes.

[LukKrueng]

1 hour ago, Spock said:

100% agree with the 'This is Thaksin' and the next bit about dying. No recreational marijuana and I will be returning to Laos and Cambodia where it is readily available for my winter break next year. How to bugger up a country!

It was, and will be, readily available in Thailand. The only difference is the legality issue. And as far as I understand this article is about extracts, not flowers.

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, Spock said:

100% agree with the 'This is Thaksin' and the next bit about dying. No recreational marijuana and I will be returning to Laos and Cambodia where it is readily available for my winter break next year. How to bugger up a country!

 

For reference:

Make no mistake about it. Smoking marijuana is illegal in Cambodia. If you do it publicly, you're liable to get stopped by police, and probably be charged a hefty fine.

 

March 2024 

A police crackdown resulted in 400 fresh marijuana plants being discovered on a remote cashew plantation.

 

Yes, cannabis may be available on the streets but not every street corner these days. There is a very proactive anti-drugs campaign at the moment ordered by the new PM Hun Manet.

 

 

"Prime Minister Hun Manet commended the proactive efforts of law enforcement, relevant institutions and authorities in the ongoing fight against drug-related crimes, citing notable achievements. 

He made these remarks while presiding over the launch of the ninth campaign against drug crimes, spanning from January 1 to December 31, which officially began on January 11. (2024)

 

https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/2024-drug-crime-campaign-prioritises-national-wellness

[thecyclist]

2 hours ago, Spock said:

100% agree with the 'This is Thaksin' and the next bit about dying. No recreational marijuana and I will be returning to Laos and Cambodia where it is readily available for my winter break next year. How to bugger up a country!

Readily available in Cambodia.? Really.

I am sure you can get it, but it's illegal, and with the hypercorrupt police force there, if you get caught it will cost you big time to stay out of jail. 

[JimboB4]

Uhh, ok so they have to be licensed. Another bs article and by the way it’s not classified as a narcotic of any kind, that’s a total lie. 

[Spock]

1 hour ago, thecyclist said:

Readily available in Cambodia.? Really.

I am sure you can get it, but it's illegal, and with the hypercorrupt police force there, if you get caught it will cost you big time to stay out of jail. 

Experience causes me to disagree. I used to buy from the cops who raided the plantations in Battambang. Siem Reap has a bar totally dedicated to selling marijuana. Top quality stuff is available at a price. If it's illegal in both countries, Cambodia would easily be my country of choice to take a risk. Never heard of anyone having a problem with police.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, thecyclist said:

Readily available in Cambodia.? Really.

I am sure you can get it, but it's illegal, and with the hypercorrupt police force there, if you get caught it will cost you big time to stay out of jail. 

I used to smoke there all the time, my hotel even provided a sala by the pool to smoke weed. There were bags of weed on every tourists table. I was told do it on private grounds and you won't have a problem.

[brfsa2]

It will always be available in Thailand, and really good quality to be honest.... as long as you dont take it out of your house. 

 

[Burma Bill]

5 minutes ago, Spock said:

Experience causes me to disagree. I used to buy from the cops who raided the plantations in Battambang. Siem Reap has a bar totally dedicated to selling marijuana. Top quality stuff is available at a price. If it's illegal in both countries, Cambodia would easily be my country of choice to take a risk. Never heard of anyone having a problem with police.

 

With respect, when did you last visit this "joint" - pre or post covid?

[Spock]

6 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

With respect, when did you last visit this "joint" - pre or post covid?

A fair question. I must admit it was pre-covid and the place may not have survived covid. I switched back to Thailand due to the legalization. However my mate who lives in SR tells me weed is freely available and quality stuff sells for similar prices to Thailand. If the place I was referring to has closed down, I am sure it's not the result of tighter policing. Cambodian tourism didn't pick up again like Thailand and many places I used to eat, drink and stay at did not survive the downturn. 

[Burma Bill]

27 minutes ago, Spock said:

A fair question. I must admit it was pre-covid and the place may not have survived covid. I switched back to Thailand due to the legalization. However my mate who lives in SR tells me weed is freely available and quality stuff sells for similar prices to Thailand. If the place I was referring to has closed down, I am sure it's not the result of tighter policing. Cambodian tourism didn't pick up again like Thailand and many places I used to eat, drink and stay at did not survive the downturn. 

 

Thanks for replying and it was what I thought. Post covid many of the bars, restaurants and hotels remained closed and stopped trading. Siem Reap city underwent major infrastructure changes, including Pub Street and the surrounding entertainment areas. Out went the sleezy bars with their ghetto blasting music and in came new and refurbished bars/restaurants offering ambiance for all visitors. 

[Krabi King]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

cannabis and hemp extracts, which are classified as Type 5 narcotics.

 

I think many are missing the point.

This is about "extracts", as the article explains. So oils, tinctures, etc. Flowers are at this point not listed as such.

[wombat]

11 hours ago, dinsdale said:

These proposed regulations

''proposed'' being the operative word.

nothing changes just rearranges ☻

Edited October 10 by wombat

[dinsdale]

8 minutes ago, wombat said:

''proposed'' being the operative word.

nothing changes just rearranges ☻

Maybe. By the way you've quoted what I quoted (from article) not what I posted/commented.

Edited October 10 by dinsdale

[Yagoda]

3 hours ago, thecyclist said:

Readily available in Cambodia.? Really.

I am sure you can get it, but it's illegal, and with the hypercorrupt police force there, if you get caught it will cost you big time to stay out of jail. 

$50