BANGKOK. Thai authorities are taking further steps to tighten control over cannabis sales, following an order signed by Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin banning the sale of the plant to individuals without a medical prescription.
The move comes as part of a growing push to regulate cannabis more strictly, two years after Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize the drug. While the policy initially boosted tourism and agriculture and led to the opening of thousands of cannabis shops, it also drew widespread criticism over alleged lax regulation that made the drug easily accessible to children and contributed to increased addiction.
Under the new order, shops will be prohibited from selling cannabis to those without prescriptions, and cannabis buds may soon be reclassified as a controlled herb. Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said on Wednesday that the agency is prepared to study and enforce the changes once the order is officially published in the Royal Gazette. No publication date has been set.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party had previously pledged to re-criminalize cannabis, but faced opposition from the Bhumjaithai Party, a former coalition partner and main proponent of decriminalization. Bhumjaithai left the coalition last week following the leak of a phone conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Health Minister Somsak expressed his intention to relist cannabis as a narcotic eventually. His statement follows recent reports of a surge in cannabis smuggling involving foreign tourists.
Phanurat cited a study by his agency that found a significant rise in cannabis addiction since the drug was decriminalized in 2022.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsab said the government had directed the Health Ministry to strengthen oversight because “many shops opened to sell cannabis both for recreational and medical purposes, allowing easy access for children and the general public, which contradicts the government’s purpose to crack down on drugs.”
In response to the new restrictions, a group of cannabis advocates claimed the government’s actions are politically driven. The group announced plans to rally at the Health Ministry next month to protest the regulations and the effort to recriminalize cannabis use and sales.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
