Report Thailand to Reclassify Cannabis as Controlled Substance

[Bday Prang]

9 minutes ago, Hummin said:

All I claim, weed smokers have themselves to blaim for being stupid smoking in public.

personally I never smoke in public, It just the way I have become conditioned due to the illegal status of cannabis I am in my 60's and old habits die hard. I prefer to smoke discreetly at home .

However I can  understand the behaviour of of the younger generation who wish to enjoy the novelty of smoking as and when they want  You can't blame them for smoking in public if nobody told them not to, and that, traditionally is the job of the police. Who were obviously told to step down by a higher authority, as leniency is not their strong point under normal circumstances

As far as I can see the "problem" of public use is completely limited to tourists in tourist areas and hardly warrants an outright ban, just a few  token arrests and fines would have cleared the problem and still could

[atpeace]

10 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

It has always intrigued me as to why the staunch anti cannabis brigade spend so much time on cannabis based threads.  Trolling and generally insulting others is strange behaviour from people trying to or claiming to occupy the moral high ground.

The really amazing thing is that their aversion to cannabis is based on 100 year old propaganda from the USA 

I do find many of the anti weed posters have interesting perspectives but the pompous fools that are insulting bore me. 

 

Smoking at home or ,when in public, in areas that don't offend others would have probably eliminated the risk of it being banned.  For whatever reason the smell and the act of smoking is upsetting to many.  Too bad we can't rewind the legalization and implement strict restrictions on where it could be smoked and sold.

[AustinRacing]

The control measure of allowing shops to sell with prescription and doctor inspecting monthly or be on site will not work. The only way would be if pharmacies dispense it following a phone call to the doctors office. 

[Andrew65]

It would seem that many non-users don't like the smell of it wafting around public places. It's a 'pungent' and not very pleasant smell. In the UK recently a colleague complained that he could smell it when his neighbours were smoking it (in their back garden).

(I'm not virulently anti-drugs, I've had a smoke a few times before, partly out of curiosity, quite pleasant).

[Bday Prang]

2 minutes ago, atpeace said:

I do find many of the anti weed posters have interesting perspectives but the pompous fools that are insulting bore me. 

 

Smoking at home or ,when in public, in areas that don't offend others would have probably eliminated the risk of it being banned.  For whatever reason the smell and the act of smoking is upsetting to many.  Too bad we can't rewind the legalization and implement strict restrictions on where it could be smoked and sold.

The fact is there are restrictions, as far as I remember, causing a nuisance by smoking in public could be punished by a  fine of up to 20,000 baht.  I have not heard of this happening so one can only conclude that few if any members of the public have been outraged enough to complain, or when they have the police have not acted. 

my money is on option one as most of the complainers seem to prefer to spend their time on here trolllng

[Bday Prang]

5 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

It would seem that many non-users don't like the smell of it wafting around public places. It's a 'pungent' and not very pleasant smell.

(I'm not virulently anti-drugs, I've had a smoke a few times before, partly out of curiosity, quite pleasant).

It would actually appear that a few very vocal anti cannabis stalwarts still driven by ancient anti cannabis propaganda just cannot stop whinging .  Some of them even claiming to take offence on behalf of imaginary ultra conservative families for fear of appearing pathetic 

[Bday Prang]

11 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

The control measure of allowing shops to sell with prescription and doctor inspecting monthly or be on site will not work. The only way would be if pharmacies dispense it following a phone call to the doctors office. 

why should they need any more than a prescription? that is all that is required for other drugs, many if not all of which are more harmful

[Spock]

1 hour ago, Steve Mee said:

November 11, 2025 apparently is the day.

 

Cannabis or marijuana again going underground on November 11 2025 after minister’s order on Monday

• June 25, 2025 at 1:44 am
• by Joseph O' Connor
• in Crime, Culture, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand
• Tweet Share Share

 

Thailand’s cannabis free-for-all is over. Minister Somsak signs a sweeping crackdown, shutting down most of 18,000 weed shops. From Nov 11, 2025, only prescription use is legal. Recreational cannabis goes underground as reclassification as a narcotic also looms.

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has slammed the brakes on Thailand’s cannabis free-for-all. On Monday, he signed off on sweeping new rules that will gut the country’s booming weed industry and shut down the vast majority of its 18,000 cannabis outlets. The crackdown isn’t just regulatory—it’s a death sentence for recreational use. New controls take effect on November 11, 2025. But the hammer is already falling. Somsak is going further, fast-tracking cannabis back onto the Schedule 5 narcotics list. That means police will soon have full authority to arrest, prosecute and jail anyone caught with weed outside strict medical channels. Cannabis is headed back underground. No more open sales. No more smoke shops. From now on, it’s prescription-only—or it’s a crime.

 

 

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/06/25/cannabis-or-marijuana-again-going-underground-on-november-11-2025-after-ministers-order-signed-monday/

They could at least get the time sequence right. 'From now on' should read 'November on' unless there is a period in between where they are going to practice enforcing the new regulations.

[Hummin]

20 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

personally I never smoke in public, It just the way I have become conditioned due to the illegal status of cannabis I am in my 60's and old habits die hard. I prefer to smoke discreetly at home .

However I can  understand the behaviour of of the younger generation who wish to enjoy the novelty of smoking as and when they want  You can't blame them for smoking in public if nobody told them not to, and that, traditionally is the job of the police. Who were obviously told to step down by a higher authority, as leniency is not their strong point under normal circumstances

As far as I can see the "problem" of public use is completely limited to tourists in tourist areas and hardly warrants an outright ban, just a few  token arrests and fines would have cleared the problem and still could

Smoking in public was limited to special bars with arrangements and more hidden beaches earlier, and suddenly it exploded.

 

I have made threads about it earlier where I addressed the problem, with same reactions from the towers.

 

No self criticism a all. Now crying out because government going to restrict the use to private hidden  areas.

 

Not only tourists, but also long term styers suddenly arranging illegal drug parties on the islands. Long time slayers serving alchohol, selling other drugs than marijuana and dj's

 

It is a chain tlreaction of happenings, not only one thing.

 

These parties used to be absent from these beaches and islands

[Spock]

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

why should they need any more than a prescription? that is all that is required for other drugs, many if not all of which are more harmful

I get my medicinal weed in Australia through a pharmacy, but the scripts are for 5 or 6 lots of 10mg, with a 30 gm limit per month. I suspect the 30gm a month limit is what will apply in Thailand when weed goes medicinal. Forcing people to get a monthly prescription would be ridiculous as the condition for which it is being prescribed will not change month to month.

[madone]

36 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Every morning I read about some potheads, either drug smuggling, fighting or thieving

oh, ok then.

So what did you read this morning? 

[Bday Prang]

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

 

These parties used to be absent from these beaches and islands

full moon beach parties have been around for decades, what are you talking about

[Andrew65]

Just now, Spock said:

I get my medicinal weed in Australia through a pharmacy, but the scripts are for 5 or 6 lots of 10mg, with a 30 gm limit per month. I suspect the 30gm a month limit is what will apply in Thailand when weed goes medicinal. Forcing people to get a monthly prescription would be ridiculous as the condition for which it is being prescribed will not change month to month.

I have to get a repeat prescription for my meds in the UK, and my medical condition hasn't changed.

[Bday Prang]

1 minute ago, madone said:

oh, ok then.

So what did you read this morning? 

he's probably spent all morning searching the web for an example, that's what his sort do

[Spock]

Just now, Andrew65 said:

I have to get a repeat prescription for my meds in the UK, and my medical condition hasn't changed.

You misunderstood me. I too have to get repeat prescriptions, but the quantity prescribed lasts me 3 or 4 months. I wouldn't imagine you are getting prescriptions on a monthly basis?

[Andrew65]

Just now, Spock said:

You misunderstood me. I too have to get repeat prescriptions, but the quantity prescribed lasts me 3 or 4 months. I wouldn't imagine you are getting prescriptions on a monthly basis?

Ah ok, I see what you mean.

Mine are every 2 or 3 months. Heart condition.

[madone]

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Not only tourists, but also long term styers suddenly arranging illegal drug parties on the islands. Long time slayers serving alchohol, selling other drugs than marijuana and dj's

Hate to break it to you, chappie, but there is nothing sudden about it. Those parties have been happening since I landed here in 95. I still go to a few every year and have even thrown a few. 

Weed is incidental to that and always has been.

Any explosion has been locals seeing what's happening in other parts of the country and trying to cash in on themselves

 

[AustinRacing]

6 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

why should they need any more than a prescription? that is all that is required for other drugs, many if not all of which are more harmful

Fair comment. The issue is they’ll find ways to circumvent to stay in business whereas pharmacies businesses arenot dependent on it. In some cases such codeine only hospital pharmacies stock it. 

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

full moon beach parties have been around for decades, what are you talking about

On every beach? Not those beaches I frequently visited, but smoking ganja in some of the bars, yes. I also smoked a few joints back then once a whole, but never around public places and other tourists, and especially around families with children.

 

Our favorite bar at Tonsai Freedom bar at Ao Nang, yes, it was a climbers and base jumpers bar.

 

It is all about common sense, nothing else.

 

The government opened the Pandora box, and agree, their mistake, but it doesn't take away each and one's responsibility to preserve what they have, soon had.

[Magictoad]

On 6/24/2025 at 1:28 PM, Bday Prang said:

is there any difference between a controlled substance and a narcotic in real terms?

They are both entirely made up terms that help the government oppress people.

[pacovl46]

On 6/24/2025 at 6:44 AM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Anutin has been pushed out so now the Govt can do what needs to be done. Whilst Expats and Tourists will be able to get around the medical requirements for usage, they will no longer be able to walk down the street smoking it, nor in bars and clubs. Most of the locals will no longer be able to easily access it though, and that is a big plus.  Those Ex[pats whop own/run a cannabis shop better start getting prepared and make sure you are fully licenced etc. and when it it 'controlled' again, do not sell any to anyone without a medical certificate/letter. The number one way the Thai police will nail illegal selling, is by pretending to be a buyer. 

If tourists can find a way around it then the locals will definitely cind a way. All this does is reopen the black market, it-s that simple!

[DezLez]

4 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

The scent of smoked cannabis is far better than the smell of cigarette smoke.

Only to the disgusting obnoxious people smoking the sh!t in public!

If you must do it I suggest do it home!

[spidermike007]

This is precisely why casinos should never be built in Thailand. Billions of dollars will be spent and the next administration will change their mind, the inconsistency and policy from one untalented administration to another should be a huge cause for concern when it comes to both domestic and foreign investment and holds the nation back. Legalizing cannabis was a good idea, if people want to get high let them get high, it's a stimulus for the economy, alot has been invested, and the regressive dinosaurs just don't understand much. 

[Dr Jon]

On 6/24/2025 at 12:01 PM, smedly said:

I have seen weed shops close very recently, some were only opened a few months ago, I do feel sorry for them having invested a lot of money 

I don't. Good riddance I say.

[Bday Prang]

49 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

You forgot to mention how spiteful these idiots are.

Fancy getting bent out of shape just because people are enjoying themselves.

 

 

There has always been a subset of people who like to get upset about the behaviour of others, retired school teacher types normally,  They would be more comfortable in somewhere like Dubai or Singapore 

[VBF]

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

If weed smokers just stop annoying other people in public, problem solved. The majority do not smoke weed!

 

Well in that context, weed is no different from conventional cigarettes. In some countries they're banned in restaurants, bars etc. These bans are enforced, and I, as a non-smoker appreciate that. However, i have no wish to stop people smoking in private - just leave my lungs alone!

[Bday Prang]

27 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Fair comment. The issue is they’ll find ways to circumvent to stay in business whereas pharmacies businesses arenot dependent on it. In some cases such codeine only hospital pharmacies stock it. 

Realistically only the most "genuine" of medical users will be obtaining their cannabis from a pharmacy.unless its cheap and of exceptional quality The rest of us recreational miscreants will revert to type and carry on like we did before 

[JackGats]

On 6/24/2025 at 8:04 AM, jvs said:

I think a lot of cannabis shops were opened to launder money,what is a better way to do this?

You open a shop(with illegal money made thru selling illegal Cannabis) and keep selling the same product legally .

Perfect!

Any business where customers pay cash can be suspected/accused of money laundering. I don't see any difference in this respect with a restaurant selling curries and pizzas.

 

The money-laudering charade is out of control.  It is now an excuse for government overreach at all levels. 

[DezLez]

12 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

There has always been a subset of people who like to get upset about the behaviour of others, retired school teacher types normally,  They would be more comfortable in somewhere like Dubai or Singapore 

Outrageous stereotyping based on nothing.

[Bday Prang]

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

At the moment anything that is keeping the Chinese tourists away is being addressed - and this is one of them

I doubt the chinese are too bothered they are more concerned with filling the world with fentanyl