Last updated on June 25th, 2024 at 09:47 am
- Driving The News: Dr. Pattapong Kasemsombun from Khon Kaen University cites Canada’s legalization of cannabis following a constitutional court ruling as a case study for Thailand.
- Why It Matters: The reference to Canada’s experience underscores the potential role of judicial decisions in shaping cannabis policy and ensuring access for medical purposes.
- The Big Picture: Dr. Pattapong emphasizes the importance of judicial intervention in protecting citizens’ rights to access cannabis for medical use and suggests this approach could benefit Thailand.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – On June 22, Dr. PATTAPONG KASEMSOMBUN from Khon Kaen University’s Department of Family Medicine presented a compelling case study on Canada’s journey to cannabis legalization, drawing parallels for Thailand. Dr. Pattapong highlighted how Canadian courts played a pivotal role in overturning restrictive cannabis laws, deeming them unconstitutional and paving the way for legal cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis.
Canada, the second country in the world to legalize cannabis, did so following a landmark Supreme Court decision. The court ruled that existing drug laws violated constitutional rights, mandating the government to amend regulations. This ruling led to the Cannabis Act of 2018, which allowed Canadians to grow, possess, and use cannabis legally. Dr. Pattapong pointed out that this legal reform was driven by sustained advocacy from patients and the public over two decades.
In contrast, Thailand still faces significant hurdles in making cannabis accessible, with ongoing efforts to restrict its use based on biased information. Dr. Pattapong argued that similar judicial intervention in Thailand could protect patients’ rights and support the broader public interest. He noted that Canadian patients and citizens had to rely on the courts to secure their rights to cannabis, a process that eventually resulted in comprehensive legal reforms.
The Canadian experience demonstrates the power of the judiciary in advancing public health and individual rights. Dr. Pattapong suggested that Thailand could benefit from a similar approach, using court rulings to challenge unconstitutional restrictions on cannabis. He emphasized that cannabis has served humanity for over 12,000 years as medicine, food, and material, and its demonization through misinformation must be corrected.
Drawing from Canada’s example, Dr. Pattapong called for balanced and fair cannabis policies in Thailand, driven by scientific evidence and judicial fairness. He urged Thai authorities to consider the successful outcomes of Canada’s legal reforms and apply these lessons to enhance access to medical cannabis for Thai citizens.
Contributing Sources: Manager Online
