Thailand to legislate medical marijuana, signals no re-criminalising

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From Reuters

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will work towards legislating marijuana for medical use, a deputy prime minister said Tuesday, signalling a U-turn on plans to re-criminalise the plant and another change in the government's hazy position on cannabis.

Thailand in 2022 became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana, doing so without a law to govern it or clear regulations in place to prevent its recreational usage.

The move, however, led to an explosion of recreational use and the launch of tens of thousands of cannabis cafes and retailers enabling it, prompting public concern about its abuse.

Deputy premier Anutin Charnvirakul, whose party was instrumental in pushing for marijuana liberalisation, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had now agreed that legislation was the appropriate step to take.

"It will be a matter of law and debated in parliament where there is already a draft law," secretary-general to the prime minister Prommin Lertsuridej told Reuters.

"Whether it is a narcotic or not is up to parliament."

A draft law on marijuana was submitted to the legislature under the previous administration but parliament was dissolved ahead of an election last year, without a vote taken.

It was not immediately clear whether steps would be taken to crack down on recreational cannabis use, as Srettha has advocated.

Thailand has seen rapid growth of a domestic retail sector for marijuana, an industry projected to be worth up to $1.2 billion by 2025.

Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party, the second biggest in the ruling coalition, has advocated for marijuana for health and economic purposes, but officially not for recreational use, and has argued against re-criminalising it.

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From Thai PBS World

Politicking and profits block path to recriminalising ganja

The escalating battle over cannabis in Thailand’s Parliament means the herb is unlikely to be recriminalised or more tightly regulated anytime soon.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reversed his tough stance on relisting ganja as a narcotic on July 23 after Bhumjaithai, a key coalition partner in his government, fought back fiercely against the plan. 

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who doubles as deputy prime minister and interior minister, warned of economic consequences if the government changed its marijuana policy.

“Who would want to invest in Thailand?” he asked.

Numerous investors, both domestic and foreign, have set up marijuana and related businesses in Thailand since Bhumjaithai successfully pushed for the legalisation of cannabis. Thailand’s rapidly expanding cannabis and hemp industry is now worth 36.52 billion baht, up from 31.75 billion baht last year, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting.

Last weekend, Anutin played golf with Thaksin Shinawatra who, as patriarch of the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party, is believed to wield huge influence over Srettha.

The prime minister has now decided to handle the explosion in the recreational use of marijuana not via prohibition but with legislation governing its availability.

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said there were now four separate marijuana bills being considered, but the legislative process was progressing slowly. As such, Thailand should first put marijuana back on the narcotics list, he added.

“However, I have to respect the National Narcotics Control Board’s decision. Let’s see what the board decides,” he said.

On July 5, the National Narcotics Committee passed a resolution to relist marijuana as a narcotic, but the resolution will only take effect if it is endorsed by the board.

Medics have expressed frustration over the delay in controlling cannabis use.

Dr Smith Srisont, a member of the Medical Council and president of the Forensic Physician Association of Thailand, said recent developments showed politicking was obstructing the path to proper regulation.

“Going back and forth or emphasising that cannabis control should be done via the marijuana law means the legal vacuum will continue,” he said. “And the public will continue to bear the brunt.”

Anutin, despite his claims, had never really listened to what others said about marijuana’s adverse health impacts, Smith lamented.

“Research in both Thailand and other countries shows marijuana consumption causes many negative effects, but he [Anutin] keeps saying there is no solid evidence for this,” he said.

Continues at

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/politicking-and-profits-block-path-to-recriminalising-ganja-in-thailand/