Last updated on October 9th, 2024 at 08:47 am
- Why It Matters: Thailandโs cannabis market is at a crossroads, with a lack of regulation putting local farmers at risk of losing out to foreign competitors.
- The Big Picture: Thai cannabis advocates argue for stricter penalties, stronger industry standards, and faster legislation to protect the nation’s economic interests in the global cannabis market.
- What To Watch: Whether the Thai government will expedite cannabis law reform and address concerns about foreign competition, industry standards, and local farmers’ protections.
BANGKOK, THAILANDย โ Cannabis advocates in Thailand are calling on Prime Minister PHAETONGTARN SHINAWATRA to fast-track much-needed revisions to the country’s cannabis law. VISARAT POTPRASERT, CEO of Thailandโs largest medical cannabis cultivation, Medical Marijuana Industrial Estate of Thailand, is among those urging the government to take swift action to address the regulatory gaps and economic risks facing the cannabis industry.
In a public statement, VISARAT highlighted the current “legal vacuum” in cannabis regulation, which has led to significant financial losses and a drop in export opportunities. He argued that Thailandโs cannabis law, as it stands, lacks the strength and clarity needed to protect local farmers from foreign competitors, particularly those from Vietnam and China who have been accused of growing cannabis without proper permits or using poor-quality methods.
Among his six key proposals for law reform, VISARAT called for harsher penalties for unlicensed growers and businesses. He also emphasized the need to regulate cannabis cultivation standards to ensure the quality and competitiveness of Thai cannabis both domestically and internationally. โForeign competitors are flooding the market with substandard cannabis products, driving prices down and harming our local farmers,โ he said.
He further pushed for tighter control over imported cannabis products, which are significantly cheaper than locally grown varieties. Without proper enforcement, Thai farmers could be driven out of business. VISARAT also suggested that cannabis cultivation be restricted to local communities and cooperatives, ensuring that the economic benefits of legalization reach grassroots farmers, not just large corporations or foreign investors.
Contributing Sources: Matichon.
