Report Cannabis Advocates to Rally July 7 Against Recriminalisation Plans

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FILE--A customer sits outside a cannabis shop in Kanchanaburi province, west of Bangkok, Thailand, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

 

BANGKOK –  Thai cannabis supporters are gearing up for a mass rally on 7 July at the Ministry of Public Health's headquarters. The protest opposes the government's plan to recriminalise cannabis, three years after its removal from the narcotics list.

 

The Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network has slammed Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin's vow to reclassify cannabis within 45 days. This comes after his coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party—key to cannabis liberalisation—exited the government.

 

The network accused Mr Somsak of politically motivated actions against Bhumjaithai. It noted his previous unsuccessful attempt to reclassify cannabis and inaction thereafter, questioning his sudden urgency following Bhumjaithai's departure.

 

Mr Somsak recently intensified his stance, citing public complaints and issuing new directives on cannabis enforcement. However, the network pointed out inconsistencies in his approach, questioning why immediate action wasn’t taken earlier if the plant posed such dangers.

 

The new regulations replace existing protections, like the ban on sales to those under 20, with a requirement for medical prescriptions. Advocates argue this change weakens safeguards, potentially increasing access for youths while giving medical professionals monopolistic control.

 

The network demands two urgent actions: amend the recent announcement to ensure public access under strict regulation, and stop efforts to relist cannabis as a narcotic. It urges advancing the Cannabis-Hemp Act, introduced by a former minister of the same party.

 

Supporters are called to join the protest on 7 July at 1pm, with promises of ongoing actions until the Cannabis Act is legislated by Parliament.

 

The upcoming rally highlights tensions between political factions on this hot-button issue, with potential implications for Thailand's budding cannabis industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-26