A NETWORK opposing the Pheu Thai-led government’s move to relist marijuana as a narcotic by the end of this year held a demonstration in front of the Government House yesterday afternoon and submitted a proposal that a joint study be conducted on this step, Naewna newspaper said this morning (July 9).
At 1.30 p.m. around a hundred members of the Network Writing the Future of Cannabis led by Mr. Prasitschai Noonual, the secretary-general, marched from the UN headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Klang road to the foot of Chamai Maruchet Bridge, in front of the Government House, to voice their opposition to relisting marijuana as a category 5 drug by yearend and only allowing medical and health usage of the plant.
On June 9, 2022 Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise recreational use of marijuana with medical use having been permitted in 2018.
After the liberal marijuana policy came into effect 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 move comes despite the rapid growth of the domestic retail sector for marijuana, with tens of thousands of shops and businesses springing up in Thailand in the past two years in an industry projected to be worth up to US$1.2 billion by 2025, according to Reuters.
Prasitchai said the network proposes that a joint committee be set up to study four dimensions of cannabis as follows:
– Is cannabis more harmful to health than cigarettes and alcohol?
– Was cannabis’ social impact any worse than cigarettes and alcohol over the past two years?
– Are the medicinal properties of cannabis better than cigarettes and alcohol?
– Does cannabis cause psychiatric problems and damage the brain as claimed by the government?
The result of this study should then be used to determine marijuana’s status, he said, adding if the result shows that marijuana is not any worse than cigarettes and alcohol nor causes psychiatric problems or damage children’s brain then the ministerial announcement decriminalising marijuana in 2022 should continue to be used.
However if it has a more harmful effect then it should be controlled by narcotics laws.
Srettha was urged to accept the international norm that a committee be set up to resolve conflicts.
Prasitchai also threatened to reveal the link between capitalists and those running the country particularly Pheu Thai Party including Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and their objective for relisting marijuana as a drug.
CAPTION:
The marijuana network protesting in front of the Government House yesterday, July 8, 2024. Photos: Naewa
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