BANGKOK — The conflict over whether “cannabis” should be reclassified as a narcotic was resolved with the government’s decision to legislate on this in parliament.
Previously, the Pheu Thai Party, the leading party in the ruling coalition, had pursued a policy to reclassify cannabis, but this was met with widespread opposition from cannabis entrepreneurs. This policy was also at odds with the stance of the Bhumjaithai Party, the second largest party, which had previously advocated the removal of cannabis from the narcotics list, leading to potential conflict within the ruling coalition.
On July 23, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul from the Bhumjaithai Party acknowledged that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had discussed the matter with him and Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin. The Prime Minister suggested that there should be a specific act of Parliament to regulate it, a decision for which Anutin expressed gratitude.
Anutin mentioned that there will be consultations between different parties to draft the law. The Bhumjaithai party has already tabled a bill in parliament. If the other parties agree, they can propose amendments and a committee can be set up to discuss it.
When asked if the push for the cannabis bill would be successful this time, unlike the previous government, Anutin replied: “This is an order from the Prime Minister.”
Somsak added that the prime minister was concerned about cannabis becoming a political issue. He pointed to two main avenues: first, the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) must review the draft notice to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic; second, the cannabis bills pending in Parliament, including one from the Ministry of Health, which is currently in the Council of State, four drafts in total.
“The result will be cannabis for medical and health purposes, for medicinal and economic benefit, but not for recreational use. This follows the established mechanisms of the NCB and the House of Representatives, which are democratic processes,” Somsak explained.
Regarding speculation that the resolution may have been influenced by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who recently played golf with Anutin in Khao Yai, Anutin denied having discussed cannabis with Thaksin. Somsak humorously added: “You journalists know more about it than I do”
Earlier, cannabis advocates had gathered to protest against the government’s plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic. Decha Siripat, president of the Khao Kwan Foundation and a traditional medicine practitioner who produces cannabis oil for treatment, stated that traditional medicine practitioners and patients will immediately protest in front of the government building if the government reclassifies cannabis as a narcotic.
“No country has reclassified cannabis as a narcotic after it was abolished; they just further declassified it. Germany, for example, is preparing to remove cannabis from the narcotics list. If cannabis is considered a narcotic, why aren’t alcohol and cigarettes also classified as narcotics, even though they are sold in supermarkets?” Criticized Decha.
Decha argued that the state’s reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic would allow monopolization by big capitalists, making it harder for traditional medicine practitioners to access cannabis and driving up prices, despite its long history as a medicinal herb.
However, on the same day, the Youth Network Against Cannabis and Drugs (YNAC) issued a statement attacking this decision of the government, saying it ignores the voices of over 200,000 people who signed in favor of returning cannabis to Schedule 5 narcotics.
The anti-cannabis group stated that implementing the Cannabis Act to control it would take at least 2-3 years. The process of returning cannabis to the narcotics list, which is currently underway, is close to completion, with only approval from the Narcotics Control Board remaining.
“Will the Prime Minister continue to allow cannabis to be free like this? Will the public and youth continue to suffer like this? Have you prioritized political benefits over the benefits of the people? Is that really the case?” the statement said.
______
