FILE- A staff member prepares a flower bud of cannabis for a customer at a cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Campaigners for cannabis in Thailand are calling for fair and clear regulations to protect users, businesses, non-users, and minors amid concerns about recent changes that favour monopolistic industry conditions.

 

At the "Drugs Community Forum," held by the Health & Opportunity Network, Thai cannabis activist Chokwan "Kitty" Chopaka criticised the amendments, which allow only those with Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) certificates to sell cannabis flowers. Only 79 certified locations remain, leaving approximately 18,000 licensed dispensaries reliant on these limited suppliers.

 

Chopaka raised the issue of monopolisation in the market, benefiting a select few while others face a shrinking opportunity. The amendment also requires consumers to present a medical prescription to purchase cannabis, privileging wealthier dispensaries that can afford in-house doctors or clinic conversions. She pointed out that unqualified personnel sometimes issue prescriptions.

 

Framework Concerns

 

Chopaka and advocates are urging the new government to revert to a regulatory framework that involves multiple agencies. The removal of cannabis from the narcotics list three years ago led to confusion in various departments, she mentioned, calling for a unified cannabis law that defines industry standards.

 

While the amendments aim to ensure product quality, Chopaka has criticised them for fostering corruption because some sellers mix uncertified cannabis with approved stock. She noted that the requirement for prescriptions increases patient costs and fosters an environment where illegal telemedicine is flourishing.

 

Education Over Prohibition

 

Addressing the misuse of cannabis among minors, Chopaka advocated for education rather than prohibition. She believes that educating children about the risks and realities of substances like cannabis, alcohol, and household chemicals encourages responsible behaviour.

 

Chopaka insists that open discussions and education should replace fear and stigma. By equipping young people with knowledge, she argues, they can better protect themselves, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Call for Comprehensive Legislation

 

Thailand’s cannabis industry is at a critical juncture. Initial decriminalisation brought opportunities, but recent rules have skewed benefits towards wealthy players. With ineffective consumer protection and smaller dispensaries struggling, advocates stress the need for comprehensive legislation that levels the playing field and prioritises public health. Their hope lies in a legislative framework that balances regulation with opportunity.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-09

 

 

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Campaigners for cannabis in Thailand are calling for fair and clear regulations to protect users

it is very clear - medical use only

 

Anutin might have other ideas 

6 minutes ago, smedly said:

it is very clear - medical use only

 

 

AFAIK we are still in a 30-60 day pause in the new regulations re: medical use.

 

 

Thailand's health ministry has postponed the enforcement of new cannabis regulations by 30–60 days, responding to public concern and allowing more time for adaptation. Under the upcoming rules, sellers will need official permits and must document every cannabis flower sale.

 

 

 

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Chopaka raised the issue of monopolisation in the market, benefiting a select few while others face a shrinking opportunity. The amendment also requires consumers to present a medical prescription to purchase cannabis, privileging wealthier dispensaries that can afford in-house doctors or clinic conversions. She pointed out that unqualified personnel sometimes issue prescriptions.

Yep. Nothing at all to do with the usual "protect society and health" nonsense and all about monopolisation.

Best to just stay off the weed, and solve the problem this way.

 

There must be a very small minority of local inhabitants who are overly interested in smoking weed.

 

And, in my view, the tourists can return to their home countries to smoke up a storm, if they choose.

 

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Campaigners for cannabis in Thailand are calling for fair and clear regulations to protect users, businesses, non-users, and minors amid concerns about recent changes that favour monopolistic industry conditions.

They want to sell to anyone who comes through the door, no prescriptions, no medical needs just personal use.

Ban its sale from the internet and street shops completely.

Make it available for medical purposes from hospitals only.

That will put an end to (most) selfish weed dependent users stinking the place out.

Nip it in the bud NOW.

No pun intended 

How refreshing to hear a smart, informed and realistic opinion on the subject. 

 

The only thing I'd add to this lady's argument would be to outline the need for more accessible and effective mental healthcare, as a huge proportion of drug abuse / drug related problems stem from people with untreated mental healthcare issues seeking relief from their symptoms.

 

 

If it were in my power, I'd nominate this lady for health minister in a heatbeat!

2 hours ago, smedly said:

it is very clear - medical use only

 

Anutin might have other ideas 

 

All use is medical use. We need recreation to heal and relax. Anything that can help us to relax is medicinal. Saying that cannabis can only help 6 written conditions is willful ignorance. 

3 hours ago, smedly said:

it is very clear - medical use only

 

Anutin might have other ideas 

Already under review by the Health Ministry.

2 hours ago, Kenny Boy said:

Ban its sale from the internet and street shops completely.

Make it available for medical purposes from hospitals only.

That will put an end to (most) selfish weed dependent users stinking the place out.

Nip it in the bud NOW.

No pun intended 

What about alcoholics/drunks and cigarette smokers ?

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

There must be a very small minority of local inhabitants who are overly interested in smoking weed.

Apparently you don't know many rural Thais 🤔🤣🤣

5 minutes ago, mikebike said:

Apparently you don't know many rural Thais 🤔🤣🤣

 

Not sure what might have lead you to this mistaken conclusion.

 

“Drugs community forum”. When organizers come up with such names one might think we’re dealing with a bunch of undesirables. 😂😂😂

 

Thailand isn’t developed enough to have drug legalization. 

3 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Best to just stay off the weed, and solve the problem this way.

 

There must be a very small minority of local inhabitants who are overly interested in smoking weed.

 

And, in my view, the tourists can return to their home countries to smoke up a storm, if they choose.

 

Awful few,5555 Industry set to reel in 2.5 Billion Baht for 2025 Where you getting your,statistics  ?? 555

1 hour ago, mikebike said:

Apparently you don't know many rural Thais 🤔🤣🤣

 

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Not sure what might have lead you to this mistaken conclusion.

 

 

 

those that he claims to know, obviously prefer to smoke their cannabis without him hanging around doing their heads in.

Can't say I blame them, He would be mildly amusing at first but more than capable of inducing a whitey after a short period of time

5 hours ago, Kenny Boy said:

Make it available for medical purposes from hospitals only.

 

Exactly.

The solution is so very simple.

And, this best solution is just staring everyone in the face.

 

So then...why debate it further?

And, why protest?

 

Anyone with a doctor's prescription will have easy access, and the substance/quality can be controlled.

 

Stringent Quality Control is a wonderful thing.

 

 

3 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Not sure what might have lead you to this mistaken conclusion.

 

It would be your mistaken idea that Thais do not love to imbibe the wacky tabbacky 🤣🤣🤣

 

There is a reason Thai stick was the best cannabis you could get before Columbian...

Wasn't he the guy sending out 1000000 plants for people to begin something wonderful?

1 hour ago, mikebike said:

It would be your mistaken idea that Thais do not love to imbibe the wacky tabbacky 🤣🤣🤣

 

There is a reason Thai stick was the best cannabis you could get before Columbian...

Yes, bong is the only word in the English language derived from Thai (that isn't food)

 

It is a historical part of Thai culture. Before the Nancy Reagan war on drugs era, you could smoke Thai stick at Don Muang airport and it was readily available throughout the country

 

Most Thais have no problem with cannabis being legal. It's the very vocal minority who hate it making all the noise, but it's a very small percentage of the population that wants to make it illegal again

1 hour ago, mikebike said:

It would be your mistaken idea that Thais do not love to imbibe the wacky tabbacky 🤣🤣🤣

 

There is a reason Thai stick was the best cannabis you could get before Columbian...

I remember when a friend brought it around back when I was living in New Jersey in my 20's. Best I had up until that time.

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

They want to sell to anyone who comes through the door, no prescriptions, no medical needs just personal use.

Yes, just like in the Netherlands, Canada, most US states, Mexico, Uruguay, Portugal, Spain, and soon Germany

 

Full legalization in most countries will happen in the next 20-40 years. No reason to blow into the wind or drag your feet. Best for Thailand to take the lead and become a major exporter of medical-grade cannabis. It's much cheaper to produce here than in any Western country, and already massive amounts are being legally exported to many Western countries

 

The big money in the coming decades will be in pharmaceutical applications. We're just scratching the surface of what the plant's potential therapeutic benefits are, as proper studies weren't possible until recently

20 minutes ago, RileyHayes said:

We're just scratching the surface of what the plant's potential therapeutic benefits are

And Thailand in it's infancy of Cannabis freedom are reaping the down-sides of the drug.

If you have a medical issue get a prescription.

Recreational Cannabis use by the masses will only drag down society more than it already is with other misuses of drugs

7 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

There must be a very small minority of local inhabitants who are overly interested in smoking weed.

You really have absolutely no idea.

Just now, dinsdale said:

You really have absolutely no idea.

Not just on the subject of ganga. 

5 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

You really have absolutely no idea.

 

All that I can tell you is that I very, VERY rarely smell the pot combusting.

 

Maybe, once in a dog's age, I will be sitting outside and catch a whiff ... in the distance, if the wind is propitious.

 

Maybe once every few months, or so.

 

This is all I know.

And, none of my friends puff the magic dragon, either.

 

8 hours ago, smedly said:

it is very clear - medical use only

 

Anutin might have other ideas 

Medical cannabis is available in NZ, its well organized, there is not 20,000 uncontrolled dope shops.

They do not stick out, you don't know they are there.

You have to get a medical from your Dr, you just can not walk in off the street and buy noncontrolled THC level dope.

Nothing wrong with medical gunga  but here in Thailand its a free for all dope house and making some people very rich.

Legalize all drugs.

The war on drugs was lost years a go.

Just governments throwing good money after bad,  in this unwinnable situation, world wide.

Sorry to say, but people take drugs, and they always have and will.

Embrace all drugs.

Get control.

Get tax revenue.

Provide quality products that don't kill, when used correctly.

Put the bad guys out of business. 

 

 

 

13 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

All that I can tell you is that I very, VERY rarely smell the pot combusting.

 

Maybe, once in a dog's age, I will be sitting outside and catch a whiff ... in the distance, if the wind is propitious.

 

Maybe once every few months, or so.

 

This is all I know.

And, none of my friends puff the magic dragon, either.

 

I know plenty of Thais that smoke dope. They've been smoking it for years. 

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

I know plenty of Thais that smoke dope. They've been smoking it for years. 

 

I never tried to imply that you do not know plenty of people who smoke dope.