PRIME MINISTER Srettha Thavisin was slammed by netizens after saying that the liberal cannabis policy had caused huge damage to the Thai people with this outstripping any economic benefit, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon (Apr. 1).
Srettha, who mentioned this during an interview on a possible policy to relist cannabis as a category 5 narcotic, was sternly ticked off by some online users for allegedly not understanding the regulations and the network that is calling for the issuance of a cannabis bill to amend the current law because large amounts are being smuggled in from neighbouring countries which is negatively affecting pharmacists and villagers who are using the plant for medical purpose.
After the liberal marijuana policy became effective on June 9, 2022 possessing and using all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds, are now allowed. However, extracted content remains illegal if it contains more than 0.2% of the psychoactive ingredient that produces a “high” — tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
The cannabis policy led to thousands of weed shops opening across the country.
Some netizens wondered why the prime minister had not touched on a recent regulation that states those caught with a maximum five methamphetamine pills will be regarded as a user suffering from mental illness needing rehabilitation.
Others pointed out that people have invested millions in marijuana businesses and if any changes are made that adversely affect them then they should be refunded.
However Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister-cum-Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who as public health minister under the previous government, had pushed for decriminalisation of cannabis in 2022, said it was the government’s policy to allow the use of marijuana for medical, economic, research and development purposes with prime minister having clearly stated this in his policy statement to Parliament.
Even so, he added that he had not yet read Srettha’s latest comments in this subject.
CAPTIONS:
Top: A woman works inside a cannabis shop, at Khao San road, one of the favourite tourist spots in Bangkok on March 29, 2023. Photo: Reuters/Chalinee Thirasupa and published by CNA
Front Page: Cannabis buds are seen inside an indoor farm at the Amber Farm, in Bangkok on Jan. 30, 2023. File Photo: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha and published by CNA
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