Thailand Politicians Take Next Step To Make Marijuana Illegal Again Provoking National Protests

Thailand is a step closer to re-criminalizing marijuana.

What Happened

As reported by the Bangkok Post, a majority of members of the committee tasked with overseeing illegal drugs in the country voted on Friday to reclassify cannabis and hemp as narcotics.

Dr. Surachoke Tangwiwat, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Public Health, said that during last week's committee meeting, all members agreed that cannabis should be used for medical purposes only.

Why It Matters

Thailand's government issued a draft legislation in June to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic starting Jan 1, 2025, as reported by Benzinga's Nina Zdinjak. Under that proposal, the Ministry of Public Health would re-list cannabis buds as a “category five” narcotic, while leaves, roots, extract containing THC not more than 0.2% per weight and cannabis seeds will remain legal.

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced in May his government’s intention to re-criminalize cannabis by the end of 2024, reversing a 2022 decision to decriminalize the plant. The 2022 decision made Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize marijuana. Since then, cannabis stores have increased in Thailand, due to a lack of proper regulation.

Read Also: Six-Fold Increase In Medical Marijuana Costs One Reason For RecriminalizationIn Thailand

Interestingly, a recent government survey showed that a majority of Thai people support the re-criminalization of cannabis. According to Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, and as reported by Time, at least 80% of the 111,201 survey participants favor a draft plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic starting Jan.1.

Pro-cannabis advocates have been protesting against the policy shift. They pushed the government to justify reclassifying cannabis scientifically, pointing out that authorities are easing up on control over alcohol.

Following the Friday vote, advocates kicked off the week by marching to the prime minister's office on Monday to protest the cannabis ban. They gathered at the United Nations headquarters in central Bangkok with a plan to visit the Government House, reported the Toronto Star.

"This fight for cannabis is not only for medical security or people's rights but also for destroying the monopoly of politicians taking (its) benefits away from the people," Prasitchai Nunuan, a representative of a pro-cannabis network of individuals, said on Monday, adding there's need for cannabis to be regulated instead of re-criminalized.

What's Next

Dr. Tangwiwat said the committee is expected to submit its report to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board for review this week.

“If the Office of the Narcotic Control Board agrees with our conclusion, the next step will be for the Food and Drug Administration to amend any cannabis-related laws and set up criteria for how the plants can be used," Tangwiwat said.

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