The Public Health Ministry’s regulation requiring a prescription to purchase cannabis buds for medical use has triggered an outcry.
Pro-cannabis groups, particularly the Network for Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future, are against the regulation which went into effect last week, claiming it is politically motivated and that it could be part of the plan to re-list cannabis as narcotic drug.
Limited use, they argued, will lead to a monopoly in production by big businesses.
There are grounds for their allegations as Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin took a particularly stiff line after Bhumjaithai, known for its cannabis advocacy policy, withdrew from the Pheu Thai-led coalition government recently.
All of a sudden, the health ministry kicked off cannabis crackdowns.
Advocates have been quick to point out possible shortcomings of the regulation, including the cancellation of previous prohibitions on selling cannabis to those under 20 or to students, allowing them to make purchases if they have a medical certificate.
Moreover, they are concerned the ministry will eventually grant decision-making power on cannabis use to a group of so-called experts who might be subject to influence-peddling.
Mr Somsak initially vowed cannabis re-listing would happen in 45 days. Yet strong resistance from the cannabis industry and advocates prompted him to soften his stance.
He agreed to remove the deadline, mentioning, albeit vaguely, that he would push for re-listing “if the people want it”.
The ministry has encouraged the public to give anti-cannabis input, so the government can return to square one: re-listing it as narcotic.
However, the advocates have dismissed Mr Somsak’s concerns.
They are demanding the minister drop the regulation and instead roll the legislation back to that issued by the Prayut Chan-o-cha government.
Advocates say that old version, with fewer loopholes, would be a more acceptable choice while the country awaits a new law governing cannabis use.
The new regulation is issued under the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Knowledge Act 1999, and replaces the 2022 announcement, which classified cannabis as a controlled herb without specifying any particular part of the plant.
The latest version, however, says only the buds of cannabis are subject to regulation.
With the regulation in place, cannabis shops cannot sell products to customers who do not have a prescription, which can be issued by either traditional medicine practitioners or modern medicine doctors.
A patient suffering any of the 15 diseases, cancer, Parkinson’s, insomnia, for instance, can ask for the prescription.
The advocates reiterate the need for a strong and comprehensive cannabis control law.
Read more at
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3059876/new-weed-stance-misses-the-mark
