The Committee for the Control of Illegal Drugs has voted to add marijuana back to the list of banned substances from 1 January 2025
Thailand is preparing for a significant change in marijuana policy. The Illicit Drug Control Committee has decided to return cannabis and hemp to the list of narcotic substances from 1 January next year.
Dr Surachoke Thangviwat, deputy permanent secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, who chaired the committee meeting, said all committee members unanimously agreed on the principle of using marijuana for medical purposes only, excluding recreational use.
However, despite the general agreement, there was disagreement on some points. As a result, it was decided by a majority vote to return cannabis and hemp to the list of narcotic substances. The committee plans to submit a report to the Drug Enforcement Administration for review next week.
According to the resolution passed, hemp will be classified as a narcotic plant except for the branches, roots and seeds. Importantly, hemp inflorescences and any part of the plant containing more than 0.2 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana, will also be classified as narcotics.
Dr Surachoke explained, ‘If the Drug Enforcement Administration agrees with our conclusion, the next step would be for the Food and Drug Administration to amend the laws related to cannabis and establish criteria for the use of the plant. All relevant laws must be changed by 1 January. That is the deadline we expect this legislation to go into effect.’
Interestingly, not all committee members supported the judgement. Panthep Puapongpan, who voted against the listing of cannabis, expressed his disagreement with the decision, although he declined to explain his reasons in detail.
It is worth mentioning that several civic groups have already expressed opposition to the ministry’s attempts to put marijuana back on the list of narcotic substances. The decision could spark widespread debate in society and potentially affect various fields, from medicine to the economy.
The decision marks a significant turnaround in Thailand’s marijuana policy. A country known for its liberal approach to the plant appears to be returning to strict regulation. This change could have significant implications for the medical industry, tourism and Thailand’s economy as a whole.
It is important to note that the decision comes after a relative liberalisation of cannabis policy in Thailand. In 2018, the country became the first in Southeast Asia to legalise the medical use of marijuana. In 2022, Thailand took it a step further by decriminalising the cultivation and use of marijuana.
The change has led to the rapid growth of the country’s cannabis industry. Numerous shops and cafes offering marijuana-based products have opened, attracting locals and tourists alike. However, according to some experts, the lack of precise regulation has led to abuse and uncontrolled recreational use of cannabis.
The committee’s decision could significantly impact this burgeoning industry. Cannabis-related business owners may find themselves having to alter their operations or even close down significantly. It could also affect the tourism sector, which has begun to attract so-called ‘cannabis tourists’.
Interestingly, Thailand’s decision goes against the global trend of liberalising cannabis laws. Many countries, including Canada, Uruguay and some US states, have legalised the recreational use of marijuana in recent years. Thailand’s decision could be an interesting case study to examine the effects of marijuana decriminalisation after a period of liberalisation.
It is worth noting that a final decision has yet to be made. The committee’s proposal must go through several stages of approval before becoming law. In the coming months, we can expect intense debate and possibly protests from supporters of liberalising cannabis policy.
The situation remains dynamic, and we will continue to monitor developments in this critical area of Thailand’s public health policy and economy.
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