Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 03:26 am
- Why It Matters: The reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic could stifle Thailand’s emerging cannabis industry, threatening both medical access and economic growth.
- Driving The News: Activists accuse Prime Minister SRETTHA THAVISIN of pushing for cannabis reclassification to create a monopoly benefitting political allies, sparking protests and calls for transparency.
- What To Watch: Whether the Thai government will proceed with the reclassification despite mounting accusations of monopolistic intentions.
BANGKOK, THAILAND โ Accusations of corruption and political maneuvering are swirling around Thailandโs Prime Minister SRETTHA THAVISIN as the government pushes to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, a move activists claim is aimed at creating a cannabis monopoly. The Thai Cannabis Future Network, led by PRASITCHAI NUNUAL, has ramped up protests, arguing that the reclassification is a ploy to centralize control of the lucrative cannabis market under the guise of public health concerns.
PRASITCHAI accused Prime Minister Srettha of orchestrating the reclassification to benefit a select group of political allies and monopolize cannabis profits. “This is not just about cannabis; it’s about fighting against the monopolistic system the ruling party is creating,” PRASITCHAI said in a fiery Facebook post. “We have worked for over two years to build a legal framework for cannabis regulation, only to see it threatened by this governmentโs business tactics.”
The activists, who have staged protests outside key government sites including the United Nations office in Bangkok, are demanding that the cannabis control bill be respected and not overturned for the sake of political gain. They argue that the public narrative painting cannabis as a social danger is being manipulated to justify stricter control and monopolization.
Four versions of the cannabis control bill have passed preliminary legal steps, awaiting the Prime Ministerโs signature to proceed to parliamentary debate. However, activists allege that Srettha has shown no interest in the legislative process, instead using scare tactics about cannabis and youth safety to bolster support for reclassification.
โThis is not about protecting society; itโs about redirecting economic benefits to those in power,โ PRASITCHAI added. He warned that if the reclassification proceeds, it will result in a controlled market with few benefiting at the expense of many, undermining years of progress and public investment in Thailandโs cannabis industry.
Activists have vowed to expose what they describe as a systematic effort by the Thai government to manipulate cannabis laws for personal and political advantage. As the debate intensifies, the future of cannabis regulation in Thailand hangs in the balance, with both sides dug in for a fight that could reshape the industry.
Contributing Sources: The Better News.
