Thailand Signals Another U-Turn on Cannabis Legislation

Thailand will work towards controlling the use of cannabis through legislation instead of re-listing it as a narcotic, according to Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, signalling yet another policy U-turn.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin now agreed that legislation was the appropriate step to take, Anutin said on Tuesday.

“I would like to thank the prime minister for considering this issue and deciding to enact an act,” said Anutin, whose Bhumjaithai Party has long championed decriminalisation of cannabis for medical and economic uses.

He made the comments after talks with Srettha and Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin on Tuesday. The prime minister reportedly gave guidelines to enact an act to control the plant instead of re-listing it as a narcotic.

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the prime minister, also attended the talks, said Anutin.

Thailand in 2022 became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana, but without a law to govern it or clear regulations in place to prevent its recreational usage. Anutin was the minister of public health at the time.

The move prompted an explosion of recreational use, cannabis cafes and retailers, along with public concern about its abuse.

Read the full article at Khmer Times