Thailand’s PM promises to crack down on drugs, therefore cannabis will now be illegal

Just two years after being among the first in Asia to decriminalize marijuana usage for recreational purposes, Thailand’s prime minister announced on Tuesday that the drug will once again be classified as a narcotic by year’s end. This is a startling comeback.

The actions are being taken in spite of the marijuana retail industry’s explosive expansion at home, with tens of thousands of stores and enterprises opening up in Thailand over the last two years. This sector is expected to reach a valuation of up to $1.2 billion by 2025.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated on the social networking platform X, “I want the health ministry to amend the rules and re-list cannabis as a narcotic.”

“The ministry should quickly issue a rule to allow its usage for health and medical purposes only.”

Under a previous administration, cannabis was decriminalized for medical use in 2018 and for recreational use in 2022. However, some claim that the liberalization process was hurried and resulted in significant confusion over laws and regulations.

Speaking during a meeting with drug-suppression agencies, Srettha promised to take a harsh stance against illegal substances and gave the go-ahead for authorities to produce results and demonstrate “clear progress” within the next ninety days.

“Drugs are a national scourge that ruins the future since so many young people are hooked to them. We need to move quickly to seize the assets of drug dealers and provide access to treatment,” he declared.

Additionally, he requested that the definition of drug possession be changed from “small amount” to “one pill” in order to allow for more stringent prosecution by the authorities.

The government of Sri Lanka had previously declared that it intended to introduce a new cannabis law by year’s end that would outlaw marijuana usage for recreational purposes and only permit its use for medical and health-related purposes.

When cannabis will be reclassified as a narcotic and the prerequisite procedures were not immediately apparent.

Re-criminalizing cannabis, according to Prasitchai Nunual, secretary-general of Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network, would be detrimental to the economy and a major setback for consumers and small companies.

“A lot of people have started cultivating marijuana and starting dispensaries. These must shut down,” he said to Reuters.

“Cannabis may be relisted as a narcotic if scientific evidence demonstrates that it is harmfuler than cigarettes and alcohol. Cigarettes and alcohol should also be listed as drugs if cannabis is less dangerous than they are.”