Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his desire to have cannabis relisted as a narcotic by the end of the year. However, a pro-cannabis group rallied at the Thai health ministry, arguing that proper regulation does not require the plant to be rescheduled as a narcotic. Health minister Somsak Thepsuthin stated that cannabis should be used for medical purposes only, not recreational, and he would consider the demands of the advocates. The rally, which took place in Bangkok, came after Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis in 2022 for medical use, sparking concerns over misuse and crime in the unregulated market.
Around 30 pro-cannabis advocates gathered at the health ministry in Nonthaburi to petition Minister Thepsuthin. The group’s representative, Prasitchai Nunuan, emphasized the importance of proper regulation for cannabis but argued against rescheduling the plant as a narcotic, citing potential economic impacts on the industry. Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party, which led the decriminalization efforts in 2022, had promised farmers in the northeast that cannabis would be a lucrative cash crop. However, the government’s plan to relist cannabis as a narcotic has sparked opposition from advocates concerned about the future of the industry.
Minister Thepsuthin, who recently took office in a cabinet reshuffle, stated that his stance has always been to restrict cannabis use to medical purposes. Activist and cannabis shop owner Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka criticized the government’s policy reversal, suggesting that it may be more politically motivated than based on scientific evidence. The stigma surrounding cannabis, despite its legalization, continues to be a concern for advocates like Chopaka, who argue for the plant’s proper regulation instead of rescheduling it as a narcotic. The demands of the pro-cannabis group have been taken into consideration by the health minister, but the future of cannabis regulation in Thailand remains uncertain.
The decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand in 2022 marked a significant milestone in drug policy in Asia, allowing for medical use of the plant. However, concerns over the unregulated market and potential misuse have led to a government plan to relist cannabis as a narcotic. The backlash from pro-cannabis advocates highlights the growing debate over the future of cannabis regulation in Thailand, as policymakers navigate between medical use and concerns over recreational use and crime. As the government considers the demands of the advocacy group, the fate of cannabis regulation in the country remains uncertain, with potential economic impacts and concerns over political motivations influencing the decision-making process. The ongoing debate underscores the complexity of drug policy and the challenges of balancing public health concerns with economic and social interests.
