Report Cannabis Advocates Warn of Economic Damage from Policy Shift

[webfact]

A worker tends to cannabis plants at a farm in Kanchanaburi province, west of Bangkok, Thailand, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

 

Cannabis advocates are set to rally at the Ministry of Public Health in Bangkok on Monday, opposing the government's move to recriminalise cannabis, which was delisted from the national narcotics list three years ago.

 

Dubbed "Operation 7-7," the protest aims to challenge Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, who supports limiting cannabis to medical use under new regulations.

 

The rally's organisers claim that the proposed changes threaten the livelihoods of small growers and entrepreneurs who have benefitted from the plant's legalisation.

 

Chokwan "Kitty" Chopaka, a prominent advocate, announced plans to camp at the ministry to push for a Cannabis Act, highlighting the possible monopolisation by larger interests.

 

The cannabis industry, once considered a vibrant sector boosting Thailand's economy and tourism, faces an uncertain future. The re-listing could force thousands of small businesses to shut down, raising concerns about potential economic fallout.

 

The debate also includes fears about underage use, with some schools and parents worried about cannabis leading youths to try other substances.

 

The Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection noted a rise in prosecutions of young people since cannabis was decriminalised in 2022, with a significant number related to cannabis offences.

 

Amidst these concerns, Daycha Siripatra, a leader in the cannabis community, argues that cannabis has positively impacted the economy, particularly for local farmers and tourism, drawing visitors from countries where it remains banned.

 

Siripatra also critiques the new regulations, suggesting they cater to political interests and potentially remove restrictions on sales to those under 20.

 

Meanwhile, Dr Thiravat Hemachudha stresses that patients using cannabis for health reasons have reported significant benefits, and a policy reversal could hinder more integrated treatment practices across the country.

 

Despite domestic tensions, research on cannabis continues worldwide, with a focus on the non-psychoactive compounds CBD and CBN, which remain costly imports for Thailand.

 

The ongoing debate encapsulates broader economic, medical, and social dimensions that remain unresolved.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-07

 

 

[ozz1]

Falling on deaf ears they will do what Thaksin and family tell them to do

[TheFishman1]

Seems like every time Thailand takes a step forward then they end up taking two steps backwards doesn’t make any logical sense to me TIT

[Nickcage49]

Big time. They're going to put a lot of people out of work and businesses without a livelihood.

 

It will impact tax revenue as well.

[curious297]

Maybe we should look at all the negative and even criminal cases reported in the news / courts that effected recreational alcohol users breaking the law compared to recreational weed use / crimes over the same period since its declassification and let the results talk for themselves then let’s ask the question, why does alcohol always get a free pass same as smoking vs vaping as big pharm treatments vs natural cures,  remedies with no side effects? Just asking.  

[Baba Naba]

13 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Big time. They're going to put a lot of people out of work and businesses without a livelihood.

 

It will impact tax revenue as well.

 Not only that, some business entrepreneurs sank their last baht into some of these stores. Life savings, means of financial support and livilihoods will vanish. Many familys will become destitute from this! It is truly sad.

[Burma Bill]

20 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Big time. They're going to put a lot of people out of work and businesses without a livelihood.

 

It will impact tax revenue as well.

 

IMO not at all.  The Cannabis industry throughout Thailand and its population of almost 72 million (2025 Google) is a mere drop in the ocean!

[Dogmatix]

This government had plenty of opportunities to introduce regulation for the cannabis industry but did nothing until they felt the need to get revenge on Anutin.  Taking down a 40 billion baht industry, causing huge losses to those who have made legal investments is pointless.  People lose jobs.  Farmers lose livelihoods and the government loses tax revenue from a business that was paying VAT and other taxes.  Now it all goes underground.   Regulation yes but destruction motivated by political spite no.  

 

It all shows how pathetic this Thaksin government is.

[dinsdale]

18 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

IMO not at all.  The Cannabis industry throughout Thailand and its population of almost 72 million (2025 Google) is a mere drop in the ocean!

It's a multi-billion baht industry hence "possible monopolisation by larger interests.".

[Lancelot01]

44 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Big time. They're going to put a lot of people out of work and businesses without a livelihood.

 

It will impact tax revenue as well.

Do you think the government really care?

[Thingamabob]

4 hours ago, ozz1 said:

Falling on deaf ears they will do what Thaksin and family tell them to do

Only for as long as Thaksin is still here. A lot of rumours swirling about, many suggesting Thaksin will soon be on his way back to Dubai. Others suggest that, if he stays, and gets his casinos, support for the re-criminalisation of much of the cannabis business will be dropped.

[Seagull Sam]

Thailand needs therapy. It suggests prostitution is illegal and yet the country is a magnet for sex tourists. 

Now it's suggesting it is going back on the relatively harmless, if slightly stinky, recreational and peaceful ganja.

If alcohol and cigarettes were invented tomorrow they would be banned.

Another shot in the foot. 

[Jiggo]

54 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Big time. They're going to put a lot of people out of work and businesses without a livelihood.

 

It will impact tax revenue as well.

Well they will just have to get a real job, was that a joke about tax revenue lol

[black tabby12345]

 

12000 reasons why They Thai govt hated.

[Lancelot01]

12 minutes ago, Dogmatix said:

This government had plenty of opportunities to introduce regulation for the cannabis industry but did nothing until they felt the need to get revenge on Anutin.  Taking down a 40 billion baht industry, causing huge losses to those who have made legal investments is pointless.  People lose jobs.  Farmers lose livelihoods and the government loses tax revenue from a business that was paying VAT and other taxes.  Now it all goes underground.   Regulation yes but destruction motivated by political spite no.  

 

It all shows how pathetic this Thaksin government is.

Surely if these businesses register and continue in the letter and spirit of the law then there should not be any significant drop in revenue. Also, the cost of doctors prescriptions will no doubt be taxed giving another source of revenue. 

[aussiebrian]

 

Thailand’s potential U-turn on cannabis legalization (post-2022) risks severe societal harm:  

**1. Economic Collapse & Unemployment**  
Shutting legal cannabis shops would destroy livelihoods overnight. Thousands of business owners, staff, and farming communities—many in tourism-heavy areas—face financial ruin, pushing families into poverty.  

**2. Prison Overcrowding & Corruption** 
Re-criminalizing cannabis would jail non-violent users, straining Thailand’s prisons. Meanwhile, police could exploit prohibition for bribes, reviving cycles of corruption seen in past drug crackdowns. 

**3. Public Health Crisis**  
Prohibition pushes users to unregulated markets, increasing risks of harder drug use (e.g., methamphetamine). Bans may also spike alcohol consumption, raising road accidents and addiction rates.  

**4. Black Markets & Crime Surge**  
Organized crime would dominate cannabis trade, inflating prices and incentivizing theft, armed robberies, and violence. Illegal markets thrive under prohibition—see Mexico’s drug war parallels.  

**5. Tourism & Global Reputation**  
Thailand’s progressive cannabis policies drew medical tourists and boosted its image. Recriminalization could deter visitors, especially as rivals like Germany embrace legalization.  

**6. Family & Social Strain**  
Mass arrests and unemployment fracture families, while crime waves erode community safety.  
Recriminalization solves nothing—it fuels crime, corruption, and inequality. Thailand should refine regulations, not revive failed prohibition.

[baansgr]

What's the problem...anyone that needs weed for medicinal purposes and can get a legitimate prescription won't be affected. Of course, those that want it for other more unorthodox purposes will just have to go somewhere else or become a criminal and risk being arrested and imprisoned 

[Robert Tyrrell]

WHERES THE CANNIBIS  LOBBYIST AND ATTORNEYS !! SUE THE GOVERNMENT  !! 

Why are the shops and,farms not collaborating to file a Lawsuit !!  ????  

[kwilco]

trouble is the cannabis debate is devoid of any logic, evidence or science... just a load of bigots obsessed with the idea "drugs are bad".

[kwilco]

22 minutes ago, baansgr said:

more unorthodox purposes

that is a total misunderstanding of cannabis in Thailand.

[peter zwart]

Cannabis Advocates Warn of Economic Damage from Policy Shift.................................... 

That is the short-term vision.

 

[Aussie999]

27 minutes ago, Robert Tyrrell said:

WHERES THE CANNIBIS  LOBBYIST AND ATTORNEYS !! SUE THE GOVERNMENT  !! 

Why are the shops and,farms not collaborating to file a Lawsuit !!  ????  

For what..,the government is only enforcing legislation....again, as I have said many times, cannabis was only decriminalised for medicinal purposes only...not legalised for recreational use...geez, you users need to clear ya heads.

[spidermike007]

They are absolutely correct it's become an industry here, and we're talking about tens of thousands of jobs and billions and billions of baht that have been invested by relatively young investors.

 

It represents an enormous betrayal on the part of the government, and if this happens these ministers should be punished in a way that causes them a great deal of pain and suffering. 

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The rally's organisers claim that the proposed changes threaten the livelihoods of small growers and entrepreneurs who have benefitted from the plant's legalisation.

So never mind the evidence of misuse, we need the profits from weed.

It was a mistake from the start and for once sense has prevailed in returning it ti where it belongs

A controlled substance.

[Mad Mustang]

1 hour ago, Robert Tyrrell said:

WHERES THE CANNIBIS  LOBBYIST AND ATTORNEYS !! SUE THE GOVERNMENT  !! 

Why are the shops and,farms not collaborating to file a Lawsuit !!  ????  

They are more than 300 so far

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

Seems like every time Thailand takes a step forward then they end up taking two steps backwards doesn’t make any logical sense to me TIT

They took two steps backwards when they legalised it... now is one step forward

[Anthony mellows]

3 hours ago, curious297 said:

Maybe we should look at all the negative and even criminal cases reported in the news / courts that effected recreational alcohol users breaking the law compared to recreational weed use / crimes over the same period since its declassification and let the results talk for themselves then let’s ask the question, why does alcohol always get a free pass same as smoking vs vaping as big pharm treatments vs natural cures,  remedies with no side effects? Just asking.  

Because alcohol is legal in nearly every country, apart from a few Muslim ones.Next.

[kwilco]

2 hours ago, peter zwart said:

Cannabis Advocates Warn of Economic Damage from Policy Shift.................................... 

That is the short-term vision.

 

so what do you cinsiderto be the "long-term"? Given that until a couple of years back it was illegal before?

[kwilco]

2 minutes ago, Anthony mellows said:

Because alcohol is legal in nearly every country, apart from a few Muslim ones.Next.

 

Legality isn’t the same as harm reduction. Slavery was once legal too — doesn’t make it right. ‘Next’ isn’t an argument, it’s avoidance.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

They took two steps backwards when they legalised it... now is one step forward

So ...what were those "steps back"?