Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has urged the Ministry of Public Health to reclassify recreational cannabis as an illegal substance in the country. Thavisin specifically requested the reclassification of marijuana as a Category 5 drug, limiting its use to medical and health purposes only. This reclassification would place cannabis in the same category as substances like opium and psilocybin, which carry severe criminal penalties in Thailand, including imprisonment for up to 15 years and fines reaching 1.5 million baht ($40,606).
Despite the decriminalization of marijuana in 2022, Thailand has struggled to enact comprehensive regulations and enforcement measures to control the sale and distribution of cannabis. This regulatory vacuum led to the proliferation of thousands of cannabis-related businesses, prompting the government to take action. Prime Minister Thavisin, who took office with a promise to reshape the country’s cannabis laws, is now pushing for a change that would limit cannabis use to medical purposes only. This move aligns with Thailand’s status as the first Asian nation to decriminalize marijuana.
The proposed reclassification has generated significant concern among the cannabis industry in Thailand, as businesses prepare for potential legal and regulatory transformations. The government’s bid to restrict adult-use sales and return the industry to a medicinal focus represents a significant shift from the initial laissez-faire approach that followed the decriminalization of cannabis.
In conclusion, the push to reclassify recreational cannabis as an illegal substance in Thailand reflects the government’s efforts to address the challenges that arose from the rapid expansion of cannabis-related businesses in the aftermath of decriminalization. This attempt to introduce tighter regulations and refocus the industry on medicinal usage is a noteworthy development that will likely reshape the cannabis landscape in the country.
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