The government’s proposed reclassifying marijuana as a narcotic did harm businesses that sell marijuana-based products, according to critics, and destroy investor confidence in the nation.
As per Surachoke Tangwiwat, assistant permanent secretary for public health, a wellness council with the power to control illegal drugs voted by lot vote on July 5 to categorize marijuana and cannabis as narcotics effective from January 1, 2025.
The council will submit its statement to the NCP (NCB) this quarter for consideration.
The panel’s quality said hemp and flax are to be considered opioid plants, except for their trees, roots, and seeds. Cannabis buds and any other substances that contain more than 0.2 % tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) will also be categorized as narcotics.
According to Dr. Surachoke, the next step will be for the Food and Drug Administration to amend any cannabis-related rules and create conditions for the species ‘ use if the NCB accepts the decision. Before Jan 1, different rules will need to be amended.
The Public Health Ministry has been given instructions by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to revise a governmental regulation to categorize marijuana as a category 5 drug and to impose a rule limiting the chemical’s use only for medical purposes by the year’s end.
Buyers losing trust
Hirunrat Mahaditthadakul, the director of the Hemp and Cannabis Industries Association, told the Bangkok Post the president’s reversal on the preceding government’s cannabis decriminalisation plan will dent buyer confidence.
The policy change may cause investors to gain confidence in doing company, she warned.
” Several entrepreneurs have invested in]cannabis ] businesses worth tens of billions of baht. Production species have been set up to make cannabis oil components, and licensing obtained”, she said.
All they can do is react to the change and make petrol extracts from different plants and herbs, she said, adding that the relisting did also significantly affect hemp growers who have also made significant investments.
When cannabis was first decriminalised, some fresh investors– including those from worldwide– saw cannabis as a fresh cash crop that would bring business opportunities, she said.
Each investor has invested at least 10 million baht on average over the past two years since the flower was removed from the opioid list, she said.
No one will want to increase the plant if it is reinstated on the drug list. Some people may choose to bring the flower because it is less expensive, according to Ms. Hirunrat.
Retailers selling cannabis-based items, especially in regions that are tourist locations, will also be affected by the relisting, she said.
She said it may be necessary for these stores to get permission to operate as traditional Thai medication clinics and offer cannabis products only for medical use, which would also require fresh investments. Additionally, it is not simple to obtain a license to open a standard Thai medicine clinic.
Many of these stores are anticipated to close when the re-listing of marijuana as a narcotic occurs. Only major investors may survive, while small businesses may stop,” she said.
The use of cannabis as a opiate again is not the best course of action. Instead, the government may push for the passing of a bill establishing appropriate guidelines for cannabis use.
In reference to the apparent conflict that appears to have broken out between the coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party, which pushed for decriminalization of the herb, and the decision Pheu Thai Party, which wants to change it, Ms. Hirunrat said, referring to the fact that “right now it is about lawmakers playing their game.”
Hirunrat: Dents buyer trust
Anutin Charnvirakul, the deputy prime minister and interior minister, recently stated that he would put a stop to the efforts to return marijuana to the controlled substance list when the NCB receives the information.
The Bhumjaithai president promised to ballot” no” when the NCB furniture the concern for discussion. He claimed that the interior secretary would have a free vote if he did n’t have to force the permanent secretary to support him.
Both Mr. Anutin and the internal ministry’s permanent secretary serve as ex-officio members of the 36-member NCB board. The committee is chaired by Mr Srettha.
The Royal Gazette published an announcement to remove cannabis from Category 5 of the cocaine law on June 9, 2022, with the exception of ingredients containing more than 0.2 % THC, the substance responsible for the psychedelic impact.
This action gives people the right to maintain and apply cannabis as a regular herb for medical purposes. By promoting cannabis and cannabis as income crops and allowing their usage in meals, fashion, and cosmetics, the goal was to encourage the plant’s health benefits and support the economy.
Recent laws prohibit smoking in public and selling products to people under the age of 20 and pregnant women. Cannabis growers who are licensed to use it for business purposes even need licenses, while cannabis stores must also apply for one.
But, decriminalization predated the necessary laws to regulate and control its use, leading to a market-free environment in which immigrants, many of whom were foreigners, invested in cannabis stores while users purchased it with little to no medical or customer advice.
A hemp act has not yet been passed in parliament.
Information goes to waste
If the program to relist it as a opioid money, Rungrueng Kitphati, director-general of the Department of Science Service, said continued research into the therapeutic benefits of cannabis will come to an end.
” Over the past five decades, several universities and educational institutes have conducted studies, and the information gained has been applied to the creation of products that are awaiting certification.
These goods offer new financial opportunities and medical treatment options for people who have conditions like Parkinson’s disease and insomnia.
” If hemp is relisted as a narcotic, the study, which has advanced this way, may instantly cease, and the accumulated information may be wasted.
According to Dr. Rungrueng, “universities may hesitate to maintain these reports because of the legal challenges associated with narcotics.”
” Cannabis ‘ advantages and drawbacks must be carefully considered. Thailand has been a concept for hemp decriminalisation in many countries, but now it seems to be taking a step sideways”, Dr Rungrueng added.
He added that it was possible to end legitimate gaps and tighten the legal framework for cannabis use without reclassifying the plant as a narcotic.
Rungrueng: Reports into plant may stop
A council member who opposed the relisting of marijuana on July 5 raised concerns that restricting people ‘ access to the plant’s medical supply if the plant is reclassified. ” Then, we fear they will resort to illegal means to obtain it”, he said.
Mr. Parnthep originally stated on Facebook that if the plant is relisted, the narcotics legislation would hardly properly address cannabis-related issues.
” The answer lies in passing specific legislation. This is the only method to carefully protect non-users and recommend how to use cannabis and what can be done,” he wrote.
Parnthep: Customers will resort to illegitimate means
Help for relisting
But, Pol Lt Gen Khirisak Tantinvachai, director of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, backed reclassifying cannabis as a opiate, saying the plant should only be used for therapeutic purposes.
He made reference to a review from Chulalongkorn University, which showed that the majority of people also use marijuana responsibly.
” The recreational use of the flower is common. Long-term outdoor use can be detrimental to health. Thus, decriminalisation should not be considered. Yet, the use of the plant for therapeutic purposes should be encouraged”, he said. ” Without stringent rules, recreational cannabis use may serve as a doorway to the misuse of other hazardous medications”, he added.
Khirisak: Supports reclassifying as drug