Thailand Will Not Re-Criminalize Cannabis, Prime Minister Agrees To Regulate Industry Instead – What Made Him Change His Mind?
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai (BJT) party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, confirmed Tuesday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin agreed that proper regulation is a better solution than reclassification. It’s still not clear how both medical and recreational cannabis use will be regulated, but the announcement suggests a step back from proposed reclassification, writes Bloomberg.
In June, the Thai government decided to reverse its 2022 marijuana decriminalization decision by relisting parts of the cannabis plant as a narcotic, starting January 1, 2025. While Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to allow legal recreational use of marijuana, it has never been properly regulated, resulting in a proliferation of cannabis shops across the country.
According to Tuesday’s statement by Charnvirakul, whose party was instrumental in the decriminalization, Thavisin is now reversing course.
“I thank the prime minister for considering this matter and deciding on issuing an act,” Charnvirakul said, reported Reuters.
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Hunger Strike, Political Party Influence?
What led to the Prime Minister’s change of heart?
Shortly after the Thai government issued draft legislation to reclassify cannabis, marijuana enthusiasts called for a scientific review and for cannabis to be regulated under a special law to address any issues of concern. Pro-cannabis activists quickly took things even further and began a hunger strike on July 10 …