Thai Cannabis Advocates On Hunger Strike To Protest Recriminalization Of Marijuana, Health Minister Says It Won't Impact Gov Decision

Protests in Thailand are heating up. Pro-cannabis activists began a hunger strike on July 10 to demand that the government listen to their views following a decision by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) that parts of the cannabis plant will be relisted as a narcotic.

What happened: In June, Thailand's government issued a draft legislation to begin reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic starting Jan 1, 2025. According to the draft proposal, the Ministry of Public Health will re-list cannabis buds as a “category five” narcotic.

The Thai Food and Drug Administration gathered public feedback on the draft regulation between June 11 and 25. According to Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, at least 80% of the 111,201 survey participants favor a draft plan to reclassify the plant.

Not everyone supports this government’s decision, however. On July 8, about 100 members of the Thai Cannabis Future Network, led by Prasitchai Nunuan, marched from the United Nations headquarters to Government House to submit a proposal to the government. Marijuana advocates are calling for cannabis to be regulated under a special law to address the current issues; they also called for a scientific review.

Shortly thereafter, the hunger strike began. This week, the Thai Enquirer reported that one of the hunger strikers, Akkaradetch Chakjinda, was taken to the hospital after six days but refused to be admitted and has rejoined at the protest. The group relocated their base tents closer to one of the entrances to Government House.

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

Seeking Science-Based Decisions

“Why does the government allow alcohol and cigarettes to exist in society, but not cannabis," asked Nunuan, according to France24.

The group is urging the government to research cannabis' medical benefits and its impact on society before proceeding with the reclassification. If research confirms that marijuana does not have a worse impact on society than tobacco and alcohol, it should be regulated, not criminalized as a narcotic.

Scientists Weigh In, Petition On The Way

Somkiat Nitiketkosol, owner of the “Suan Fah Yim” marijuana farm stressed that if the government proceeds with its plan it must offer assistance to farmers who are licensed to cultivate marijuana.

The Bangkok Post further noted that Thiravat Hemachudha, a neurologist at Chulalongkorn University’s Medicine Faculty as well as the dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University Panthep Puapongphan and Rosana Tositrakul, a former Bangkok senator are working on a petition to the Public Health Ministry to rethink cannabis’ reclassification.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Thepsutin said he did not receive a report on Chakjinda's health concerns and that the protests are not likely to stop the reclassification process.

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