Nonthaburi, Thailand — On Thursday, dozens of pro-cannabis supporters gathered at the Ministry of Health on the outskirts of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, to protest the government's plan to relist the plant as a drug two years after it was decriminalized.
The rally came after Prime Minister Suretta Thavisin said last week that she wanted the plant to be re-registered as a drug by the end of this year. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize the drug for medical purposes in 2022, but in reality the market appears to be effectively unregulated, leading to public backlash and concerns about abuse and crime.
About 30 people gathered at the Ministry of Health in Nonthaburi, just north of Thailand's capital Bangkok, to petition Minister Somsak Thepsutin.
Prasitchai Nunuan, the group's president, said everyone agreed that cannabis should be properly regulated, but that did not require changing its regulation as a drug, and that the economic impact on the emerging industry would be significant. pointed out the possibility of
“Every time cannabis is relisted as a drug, it is put back in prison,” Prasitchai said as Health Minister Somsak stood to hear the group's demands.
The push to decriminalize cannabis in 2022 was led by the Bhumjaithai Party, which is based in the impoverished northeast and promised farmers it would become a new cash crop.
Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who served as health minister in the previous government, pushed through reforms to the drug law and removed cannabis from the list of controlled substances.
Somsak, who was appointed health minister in last month's cabinet reshuffle, said he would consider the request. The minister said it has always been the position that cannabis should only be used for medical purposes, not recreational purposes.
Cannabis store owner and activist Chokwang “Kitty” Chopaka said the government’s policy shift appears to be more political than scientific.
“Even with legalization, I don’t think the stigma actually goes away from cannabis,” she said.
