Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced his desire to have cannabis relisted as a narcotic by the end of the year, sparking protests from pro-cannabis advocates. The group, gathered at the Thai health ministry, agreed that cannabis should be properly regulated but believed that it could be done without rescheduling the plant as a narcotic. Health minister Somsak Thepsuthin, however, maintained his position that cannabis should be restricted for medical purposes only, not for recreational use.
The rally at the health ministry in Bangkok came in response to the government’s plans to reschedule cannabis as a narcotic, two years after it was decriminalized. While Thailand was the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis for medical purposes, concerns arose over the unregulated market and the potential for misuse and crime. About 30 people gathered to petition Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, expressing their concerns about the economic impacts that relisting cannabis as a narcotic could have on the budding industry.
The pro-cannabis group, represented by Prasitchai Nunuan, emphasized that while cannabis should be regulated, it did not need to be relisted as a narcotic. They warned that if cannabis was relisted, it would be treated as a criminal substance once again. The decriminalization of cannabis in 2022 was driven by the Bhumjaithai Party, which promised farmers in the impoverished northeast that cannabis would become a lucrative cash crop. However, the government’s plan to relist cannabis as a narcotic has sparked backlash among advocates and activists.
Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, who was appointed in a recent cabinet reshuffle, stated that he would consider the demands of the pro-cannabis group. He reiterated his belief that cannabis should be used strictly for medical purposes and not for recreational use. Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka, a cannabis shop owner and activist, criticized the government’s policy reversal as more political than scientific. She highlighted the ongoing stigma associated with cannabis, even after its legalization, as a key issue that needs to be addressed.
The debate over the future regulation of cannabis in Thailand reflects the challenges that policymakers face in balancing public health concerns with economic opportunities. While there is a growing interest in developing a regulated cannabis industry, concerns about misuse, crime, and stigma continue to shape the government’s approach to the plant. As the government moves forward with its plans to potentially relist cannabis as a narcotic, further discussions and negotiations are likely to occur between policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders in the industry.
