File photo for reference only. AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

 

Bhumjaithai's Supachai Jaisamut is pushing for rapid legislation on cannabis control, blaming the Pheu Thai-led Ministry of Public Health for its failure to regulate the substance effectively. The ease of access and emerging issues have sparked his criticism.

 

Bhumjaithai has been a proponent of cannabis for medical use since 2019. Supachai highlighted the past parliamentary support, including Pheu Thai's, for removing cannabis from the narcotics list.

 

The BJT’s Cannabis-Hemp Bill faced setbacks due to political changes and was resubmitted to the current parliament.

 

A similar bill from Thailand's Public Health Ministry has stalled in the cabinet. Supachai pointed out that the lack of specific laws forces reliance on inadequate regulations, leading to illegal cannabis shops emerging unchecked. He accused the ministry of profiting from licence issuance.

 

The BJT has called for immediate action against these illegal shops and urged the ministry to move the Cannabis-Hemp Bill through the legislative process. Supachai questioned the handling of the situation by the Pheu Thai-supervised ministry.

 

Pheu Thai's Rinthipond Varinvatchararoj countered by suggesting Supachai overlooks Bhumjaithai’s initial role in legalising cannabis during the Prayut administration.

 

She reiterated Pheu Thai’s opposition to recreational use, pushing for controlled medical application, noting BJT’s resistance to reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic.

 

Rinthipond assured efforts are underway to address regulatory gaps left by the BJT, calling for reflection on the party’s previous actions and the current cannabis landscape. 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-24

 

 

 

There are 2 solutions.. The RTP will check all shops that sell weed and close them, but that is a wish what is impossible.. or the second option is make legal and with good rules and laws, let them register their shop and tax them...Illegal shops will be dismantled I think second option is the best, as it is impossible to legalize first the cannabis and now make it illegal... Same with vaping.. allow it and tax it.. Good for the country

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Bhumjaithai's Supachai Jaisamut is pushing for rapid legislation on cannabis control, blaming the Pheu Thai-led Ministry of Public Health for its failure to regulate the substance effectively. The ease of access and emerging issues have sparked his criticism.

Wasn't it Anutin Ex-Health Minister who pushed this through before any meaningful regulations were in place ?

Perhaps the BJT should gave got it right in the first place, under the illegal coup government of Prayuth, when they had the chance.

Can't make this stuff up in thai politics they are obvious to everything. It was this very party that decriminalised cannabis and under then health minister anutin set about this whole fiasco, then suddenly start pointing the finger elsewhere, no wonder thai people have given up on politics and just accept their fate under the power of the "elite" they chose an alternative path but that went against the status quo so was quashed, 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The ease of access and emerging issues have sparked his criticism.

 

Just re-criminalise Cannabis again! 

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Wasn't it Anutin Ex-Health Minister who pushed this through before any meaningful regulations were in place ?

yes, the same guy who blamed "dirty farangs" for bringing Covid to T'land!

They should keep it legal and just have it sold by proper, certified dispensaries and not every somchai along the street, or by bars. Places that sell alcohol should not be allowed to sell weed.

I've been to places where they had no idea what they were selling, zero knowledge. 

9 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Just re-criminalise Cannabis again! 

 

Yeah right! Great ethos man... send people who enjoy a toke once in a while to jail. Great attitude. allow the black market to take over again instead of getting possible much needed taxes. wouldnt want you on a jury of peers