Regime moves to ease drug laws starting with meth, marijuana

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

Police commandos search the bedroom of a suspected drug dealer in Bangkok in a Nov. 10, 2015, file photo.

 

BANGKOK — The penalties and restrictions on marijuana and methamphetamines will be relaxed by year’s end, according the nation’s top drug enforcement official.

 

The plan, which would permit use of such drugs for medical benefit, is part of the military government’s newfound progressive approach to drug abuse in a break from long years of outright bans and harsh punishment.

 

Full Story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2016/08/30/regime-moves-ease-drug-laws-starting-meth-marijuana/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2016-08-30

Weird, we had the article about medical marijuana in the last few days.  Then Scott's weed pole, and now this.  

Maybe Thailand isn't such a bad place after all...

 

 

The cops will be very very unhappy with this. 2 major revenue streams about to dry up.

 

Chook

good idea. Don't get too excited though as it medical use only, not recreational.

Paiboon has been pushing this move for some time......and in reality, it's a fumbling attempt to alleviate the overcrowding of the Thai prison system.......

Methamphetamines (yaba) should not become a level 2 narcotic.....it's a mind altering narcotic that devastates users, families and communities.....policing needs to improve.

Marijuana is obviously much less damaging and of course, does have a level of medicinal properties if managed, the enforcement of this could well be relaxed somewhat.

 

It's a dangerous course for any country to undertake, when it comes to relaxing laws on narcotics....especially when they start talking about methamphetamines!

 

 

14 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

Paiboon has been pushing this move for some time......and in reality, it's a fumbling attempt to alleviate the overcrowding of the Thai prison system.......

Methamphetamines (yaba) should not become a level 2 narcotic.....it's a mind altering narcotic that devastates users, families and communities.....policing needs to improve.

Marijuana is obviously much less damaging and of course, does have a level of medicinal properties if managed, the enforcement of this could well be relaxed somewhat.

 

It's a dangerous course for any country to undertake, when it comes to relaxing laws on narcotics....especially when they start talking about methamphetamines!

 

Except Portugal. For some reason Portugal succeeded in doing exactly what you claim is dangerous for any country to do...

 

Drug decriminalization – alongside a serious investment in treatment and harm reduction services – has been proven to significantly improve public safety and health.

 

• Drug Decriminalisation in Portugal: A Health-Centered Approach: http://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/DPA_Fact_Sheet_Portugal_Decriminalization_Feb2015.pdf
• Portugal decriminalised drugs 14 years ago – and now hardly anyone dies from overdosing: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/portugal-decriminalised-drugs-14-years-ago-and-now-hardly-anyone-dies-from-overdosing-10301780.html

What are the medicinal uses of meth? What a weird way to do this... starting with meth.

Need to free up more officers to deal with really egregious crimes, such as expressing one's political views or asking for free elections, no doubt...

I'm impressed! A logical and common sense idea for a change. If they just outright legalize pot, then they could turn Meth heads in to Pot heads as punishment! That should raise the governments happiness meter a bit.

54 minutes ago, anotheruser said:

What are the medicinal uses of meth? What a weird way to do this... starting with meth.

Diet?

a lot of doctors will find a new cash cow in handing out prescriptions

1 hour ago, anotheruser said:

What are the medicinal uses of meth? What a weird way to do this... starting with meth.

 

Agreed - I think that part was not translated properly.

 

Weed - medicinal purposes

Meth - therapy/rehab

 

But a very, very, interesting point is Hemp. This could be quite significant for industry, providing a strong economic benefit...but who knows, early days yet.

 

I think ChrisY1 is also on the money with the prison overcrowding point.

 

And the Portugal example really is brilliant....15 years or so now, so a great case study.

 

And I am no expert - but is that policeman holding a shotgun?

 

Seems an interesting choice of weapon.

Not so odd of a choice of weapon for a drug raid.

we're sure if its  leagalized   Thais will use  it in moderation, right ?

12 hours ago, 55Jay said:

Weird, we had the article about medical marijuana in the last few days.  Then Scott's weed pole, and now this.  

well for medical purposes there are many benefits.

9 hours ago, surangw said:

we're sure if its  leagalized   Thais will use  it in moderation, right ?

depends on the user really. there will be some cases of abuse. isn't glue also abused for sniffing.

9 hours ago, SoilSpoil said:

a lot of doctors will find a new cash cow in handing out prescriptions

hope it will be exercised judiciously and honestly.

no idea about Meth but Marijuana is a 'no-brainer' and should be freely available    

Alcohol is causing more death and destruction than all other drugs combined. The death toll in traffic alone is horrific.

 

They could consider selling sell drugs (produced under state/medical supervision) by prescrition only. There will be abuse but there is abuse in any system. 

 

It seems Thailand is among a growing list of countries to realize the "word on drugs" is lost.

12 hours ago, seahorse said:

Maybe Thailand isn't such a bad place after all...

 

 

Better than the Philippines , these days ...

12 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Paiboon has been pushing this move for some time......and in reality, it's a fumbling attempt to alleviate the overcrowding of the Thai prison system.......

Methamphetamines (yaba) should not become a level 2 narcotic.....it's a mind altering narcotic that devastates users, families and communities.....policing needs to improve.

Marijuana is obviously much less damaging and of course, does have a level of medicinal properties if managed, the enforcement of this could well be relaxed somewhat.

 

It's a dangerous course for any country to undertake, when it comes to relaxing laws on narcotics....especially when they start talking about methamphetamines!

 

 

A drug, which also causes imeasurable harm to society, is pictured in your avatar. Like alcohol abuse, drug addiction should be treated as a public health, not criminal,  matter (as least as to possession or cultivation of personal use amounts).

  If a bartender is allowed to refuse to serve customers if they appear too intoxicated; then surely if these

substances were sold over the counter in pharmacies the same rules could apply!

22 minutes ago, BuaBS said:

Better than the Philippines , these days ...

 

 

    How so?

11 hours ago, anotheruser said:

What are the medicinal uses of meth? What a weird way to do this... starting with meth.

weight control

weight control

Nice one.

12 hours ago, anotheruser said:

What are the medicinal uses of meth? What a weird way to do this... starting with meth.

can be used by thai girls who were not born crazy enough. 

9 minutes ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

If they go soft on meth watch the crime rates soar.

you know going hard or going soft does not seem to make much difference. meth is destroying parts of america. it is called 'P' in nz and is doing a lot of damage there as well especially in lower socioeconomic and maori communities. maoris make up only 10% of the population but full over half the prisons. have to wonder if there is not another if there is not some better way to deal with this problem.

44 minutes ago, swanny321 said:

How so?

 

Embracing the progressive policy of treating drug use as a mental health issue that evidence shows works v. accelerating a failed 'war on drugs' policy with up to 2000 extrajudicial killings.

 

I'd say the former is better than the latter.