Time: 2024-05-11
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According to a Reuters report on May 9, Thailand's Prime Minister said on Tuesday (7th) that Thailand will reclassify cannabis as a narcotic by the end of the year, two years after the country became one of the first countries in Asia to legalize cannabis. major changes occurred.
Thailand’s domestic retail cannabis market has grown rapidly over the past two years, with the industry expected to be worth up to US$1.2 billion by 2025.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on social media Health and Medical Purposes.”
Marijuana was legalized for medical use in 2018 and for recreational use in 2022. Critics say it liberalized too quickly, leading to huge confusion in rules and regulations.
After attending a meeting with anti-drug agencies, Sreeta vowed to take a tough stance on illegal drugs and asked the authorities to deliver results and show "clear progress" within the next 90 days.
"Drugs are a problem that is destroying the country's future and many young people are addicted. We must act quickly to seize the assets of drug dealers and expand access to treatment."
He also asked authorities to redefine marijuana possession under the law from a "small amount" to a "piece" so authorities can enforce the law more harshly. Sreeta's government has previously said it hopes to introduce a cannabis law by the end of the year that would ban recreational use and allow it only for medical and health purposes.
Prasitchai Nunual, secretary-general of the Thai Cannabis Future Network, said re-criminalizing cannabis would be a negative move for the economy and a major blow to small businesses and consumers.
"A lot of people are growing marijuana and opening marijuana shops, and those shops will have to close. If the science shows marijuana is worse than alcohol and cigarettes, then they can reclassify it as a drug. If marijuana is less harmful, it should be classified as a drug. Cigarettes and alcohol are classified as drugs.”