Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 03:52 am
- Why It Matters: The Thai government’s stance on cannabis is a battleground between large corporate interests and public health advocates pushing for self-sufficiency and local control.
- Driving The News: Prime Minister SRETTHA THAVISIN reversed his decision to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, opting instead for regulation under a new law, responding to pressure from public health and political stakeholders.
- What To Watch: Continued efforts by advocates like PANTHEP PHUAPONGPAN and public pushback may further influence Thailand’s cannabis policies, impacting both local practitioners and larger corporate interests.
BANGKOK, THAILAND โ In a significant turn of events, Prime Minister SRETTHA THAVISIN decided against reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic, choosing instead to regulate its use through a new legal framework. This decision reflects the tug-of-war between large corporate interests and advocates of self-reliant healthcare for the Thai public.
The debate has been fueled by the involvement of key figures like PANTHEP PHUAPONGPAN, Dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, and THIRAWAT HEMACHUDHA, a consultant at the College of Oriental Medicine. These advocates, alongside former Bangkok Senator ROSANA TOSITRAKUL, have publicly exposed corruption in scientific research related to cannabis and pushed for its continued availability for medical use.
According to the advocates, reverting cannabis to a controlled substance would only benefit large corporations by creating monopolies over cannabis products, leaving local farmers, traditional Thai medicine practitioners, and rural communities in the dust. They argue that restrictions, such as requiring a “modern pharmacist” at all cannabis clinics, would impose prohibitive costs on local operations, favoring large, well-funded companies.
Recent negotiations between Srettha and ANUTIN CHARNVIRAKUL, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, underscore the complexities of cannabis policy in Thailand. While the Bhumjaithai Party has consistently advocated for cannabis liberalization, the debate remains heated, with political tensions simmering within the government.
Despite opposition from corporate-backed factions, grassroots movements have continued their advocacy. Public figures like Panthep and Thirawat stress that policy reversals could push cannabis underground, further alienating local communities and disadvantaging small-scale practitioners.
