Minister suddenly falls sick as pro-cannabis protesters show up

AS PRO-CANNABIS protesters showed up at the Public Health Ministry to submit additional proposals on arranging effective control of the herb Public Health Minister Somsak Thesuthin suddenly fell sick and sent secretary-general Mr. Thanakrit Chitareerat to receive the letter on his behalf, Naewna newspaper said this evening (July 7).

The letter outlining additional proposals to what the Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network had submitted on June 30 states the following:

(1) Stop moves to recriminalise cannabis as this would push the private sector out of this trade and lead to its monopoly;

(2) Maintain the status of cannabis as a “herbal plant”, appropriate for its true properties, and wait for cannabis legislation to be enacted to control it appropriately. In the meantime, ministerial announcements should be used to control and promote it in a balanced manner;

(3) Establish a joint committee to organize the system comprehensively, including:

– An announcement on cultivation that establishes fair rules for farmers and emphasises consumer safety;

– An announcement on consumption that establishes fair trading and usage system;

– An announcement clearly specifying who should be protected and sets planting and usage guidelines that do not affect the public.

Mr. Prasertchai Noonual, the network’s secretary-general, said Somsak is not in favour of enacting cannabis legislation because he wants to turn it into a monopoly for capitalists.

“His announcement to recriminalise cannabis is just a dream. We will continuously present facts and camp out.

“If he continues to insist on recriminalising cannabis he will face new forms of resistance – we will escalate the protests and will only stop when the cannabis legislation is enacted,” he said.

After submitting the letter, the network camped overnight at the ministry and opened a “flower market” to showcase agricultural herbal products from around the country. There were demonstrations of cannabis preparation by Thai traditional medicine experts, tips from professional growers and spiritual advisers, as well as activities to show their power to push for the Cannabis Act, which the network dubbed “The people’s dream.”

At 6.30 p.m. there was to be a no-confidence debate against Somsak and at 10.30 p.m. a ceremony to be performed to protect the herb.

CAPTION:

Pro-cannabis protesters at the Public Health Ministry today, July 7, 2025. Photos: Naewna