2 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

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.

As said before the "gainst" brigade rely on prejudice and bigotry - everything in you post is factually incorrect.

Well they built their businesses around the recreational usage against the intended medical usage. Only themselves to blame. Thailand is not developed enough to handle recreational usage. 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

entrepreneurs who have benefitted from the plant's legalisation.

Anutin comes to mind, he must be pisssssd

I watched a video on X last night about some trouble that broke out in Brixton and the police were called.  Various guys videoing the scene and one comment was made " I'm going to Thailand"...Is this the people Thailand really wants as tourists/LTVs...

should be banned

This whole sorry episode is a glaring example to investors of why you shouldn't invest here. One day, suddenly it's okay, then you get a new government and they do a 180 and thousands of people collectively lose billions. This encompasses everything you shouldn't do if you want to attract investment... just too risky for people (might as well just walk into the street and throw your money in the air), and that's the problem here with many things, people just don't know where the goal posts will be in the near future, and it's not just on this, goes for visas, WP, property and all sorts. 

 

4 hours ago, Baba Naba said:

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.

That's a misconception if ever I read one.

People who got into the cannabis business made lots of money  over the few years of legality.

They may very well have invested heavily in their legal drug scheme but over time that would have yielded enough to start their next business which may be clinical cannabis or selling nuts and bolts. Who knows 

12 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

This whole sorry episode is a glaring example to investors of why you shouldn't invest here

Pro Tip:

If you are not a 1%er, Never invest in a place where you cant walk into Court personally and have a chance of winning.

4 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.  

      Basically it boils down to "reefer madness" and all the other rubbish spewed out by America nearly 100 years ago. Some people just can't shake it off, 

     There is also, as you say, an influence from "big pharma" who are no doubt concerned about all the money they could lose, They have enough money to fund their own anti cannabis campaign, hence the endless amount of  "research and studies" with the inevitable "scary" results

      

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

Pro Tip:

If you are not a 1%er, Never invest in a place where you cant walk into Court personally and have a chance of winning.

The 1% also follow the mantra of "Buy borrow die" to avoid taxes.

What’s with people who just drop a thumbs-down on a post without saying anything? If you disagree, say why. Otherwise, it’s just lazy—and pointless.

Deleted

 

All the landlords and people who own the business provided a service,some thought it was wrong,but it worked ok.You change the law or rules and lots more empty shops and less businesses etc.Legal means no brown evenlopes  now they will be back in business

11 hours ago, kwilco said:

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

Freedom of use by everyone instead of medical use only which is what Anutin said but never achieved as he forced it through before any laws were passed.

15 hours ago, Baba Naba said:

 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.

Their last Baht didn't disappear into thin air though. Lots of people made a tidy profit from the weed boom.

13 hours ago, kwilco said:

As said before the "gainst" brigade rely on prejudice and bigotry - everything in you post is factually incorrect.

Actually everything in my post is correct, if you took the time to research, both google and ASEAN Now, it was very clear, decriminalised for medicinal purposes ONLY.

13 hours ago, kwilco said:

As said before the "gainst" brigade rely on prejudice and bigotry - everything in you post is factually incorrect.

I refer you to my May 23 post, which you could not counter.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1361364-thailand-to-require-medical-certificates-for-cannabis-use-within-40-days/page/5/#comment-19820184

I often ask myself how many cannabis shops sell just cannabis related products in terms of drugs?

 

Associating with users of cannabis often leads to the use of other substances that are illegal. I have been told numerous times by cannabis users that cocaine is a very readily available in Thailand!

 

Join the dots and I can see why the authorities realise they have a Tiger by the tail!!!

22 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

I often ask myself how many cannabis shops sell just cannabis related products in terms of drugs?

 

Associating with users of cannabis often leads to the use of other substances that are illegal. I have been told numerous times by cannabis users that cocaine is a very readily available in Thailand!

 

Join the dots and I can see why the authorities realise they have a Tiger by the tail!!!

Gave you a 👎 for that statement, as everyone I know, the entry drug into the the world of chemical stimulants was always alcohol.   Many not progressing pass weed, if even trying weed, as just enjoy their drink of choice.  Really is a false narrative, in my extensive experiences.

23 hours 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.

Will the elite fung kwai care - No.  The Elite never thing about people who are not equally rich.

23 hours 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.

Then they can go back to their old jobs if it's no longer open slather. This is a great decision for Thailand .

20 hours ago, Muhendis said:

over the few years of legality

and for those who just started this year? Even if they made money, who says it is a lot? Your statement is the only misconception here... and I would bet you havent even tried it. Do some research before making ignorant statements... 

• Many cannabis shops report a payback period of 1 to 3 years.
• Some may achieve profitability within the first year, while others may take longer, especially if facing high startup costs or market competition.
• There is huge competition in Thailand

10 hours ago, sidneybear said:

Lots of people made a tidy profit from the weed boom.

   Got any actual facts/proof/statistics on that? I bet not.  There are 18,000 shops in Thailand so there is some very steep competition so they are NOT making a mint! 

There are many challenges affecting profitability.

Market Saturation: The rapid influx of new businesses led to increased competition and lower prices, making it harder for some shops to turn a profit. Some observers note the market has become "over-saturated".

Evolving Regulations: Frequent and sometimes unclear regulatory changes have created uncertainty for businesses, with recent regulations aimed at restricting recreational use causing many to scramble and adapt.

Illegal Imports: The presence of illegal foreign cannabis imports has been cited as a factor driving down prices and impacting the profitability of legitimate businesses.

High Operating Costs: Indoor cultivation, which is popular, involves significant expenses for electricity, water, and other resources.

Unclear Guidelines and Enforcement: Lack of clear guidelines, especially regarding aspects like pesticide use, poses risks and requires businesses to prioritize quality control and public safety. 

 

    There also will only be a very small handful that will be able to stay open as legal dispensarys. “Hiring a medical professional and updating the shop to meet clinic rules could cost hundreds of thousands of baht."  

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/health/cannabis-dispensaries-thailand/ 

As all the potheads realise there halcyon days are coming to an end the usual subjects are brought as if it’s going to be a game changer. It’s not, jobs will be lost but not as many as projected and the same for the income figures.
So get used to the idea stoners that hanging out in public puffing away will soon be a thing of the past.

On 7/7/2025 at 3:11 PM, spidermike007 said:

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. 

Yes, and it will drive everything underground, so instead of regulating it and gathering taxes from it, the industry will be run by what the government will consider criminals... criminals who, in reality, were forced to choose that life after the betrayal. There is only so much struggle entrepreneurs can handle.  One day they're legit and they next they're criminals. 😵‍💫🤦 

Policy in Thailand has always been "ready, fire, aim".  Consequences have no part in the decision process.

23 hours ago, kwilco said:

 

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.

Prohibition in the USA , in the 1920,s went well. Why should the 95 % who drink responsibly,  suffer from the idiots. See lots of people in groups enjoying themselves drinking alcohol. but most drug users are alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34 minutes ago, Galong said:

Yes, and it will drive everything underground, so instead of regulating it and gathering taxes from it, the industry will be run by what the government will consider criminals... criminals who, in reality, were forced to choose that life after the betrayal. There is only so much struggle entrepreneurs can handle.  One day they're legit and they next they're criminals. 😵‍💫🤦 

One can only hope that this nation rises up and shows it's disapproval of terrible leadership one day soon. If the goons attempt to steal another election, hopefully millions upon millions will take to the streets and just shut this nation down until the toxic and spectacularly immoral elites step aside. There won't be another coup. There is no moral authority to condone one. 

22 hours ago, Muhendis said:

That's a misconception if ever I read one.

People who got into the cannabis business made lots of money  over the few years of legality.

They may very well have invested heavily in their legal drug scheme but over time that would have yielded enough to start their next business which may be clinical cannabis or selling nuts and bolts. Who knows 

Wow that's quite an assumption. I wonder if it's founded upon anything even bordering on factual? It's not easy running a retail business, I see an awful lot of these cannabis shops that are not busy, overhead is high, upfront costs are high, and you can't just assume that most shops are making a lot of money. 

16 minutes ago, Anthony mellows said:

but most drug users are alone.

absolute and utter tripe!

You do however make a point - once prohibition was enforced organised crime flourished and that is exactly the same with drugs - just look at the US "war on drugs" - an utter flop!