Thailand is the first South-East Asian country to decriminalise cannabis, but PM Srettha Thavisin has announced it will be relisted as a banned narcotic. Image source: Per Meistrup, via Wikimedia Commons.
Thailand’s prime minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to relist cannabis as a banned narcotic by the end of 2024, only two years after its decriminalisation.
In a social media post published Wednesday 8 May, Srettha asked the Health Ministry to put cannabis back on the list of narcotics.
“The ministry should quickly issue a rule to allow its usage for health and medical purposes only,” said the prime minister.
“Drugs is a problem that destroys the future of the country, many young people are addicted.
“We have to work fast, to confiscate [drug dealers’] assets, and expand treatment.”
Srettha also requested authorities to redefine drug possession from a “small amount” to “one pill” under the law to enable tougher enforcement.
Thailand became the first country in South-East Asia to decriminalise cannabis for medical purposes in 2018 and for recreational use in 2022.
Smoking marijuana in public remains illegal, with penalties ranging up to 3 months in prison.
Advocates and entrepreneurs have expressed disappointment with the government’s efforts to relist cannabis as a banned narcotic.
Cannabis Future Network secretary-general Prasitchai Nunual told Reuters that recriminalisation would harm the Thai economy.
Thailand’s domestic cannabis industry has a projected worth of $1.2 billion USD ($1.8 billion) by 2025, according to a report by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
“Many people have been growing cannabis and opening cannabis shops. These will have to close down,” said Nunual.
“If scientific results show that cannabis is worse than alcohol and cigarettes, then they can relist it as a narcotic.
“If cannabis is less harmful, they should list cigarettes and alcohol as narcotics too.”
Cannabis entrepreneur and advocate Kitty Chopaka said, “no matter what happens with the incoming cannabis regulations, it is now too late for cannabis to go back to being classified as narcotics.”
It has not yet been confirmed when cannabis will be relisted as a narcotic.
