The Thai Minister of Health justifies legalizing marijuana

According to the health minister, the proposal will be subject to changes made by a committee of commissioners before receiving final approval, which is scheduled to happen next month. Visits to hospitals, incidents involving children, and the quantity of outlets carrying the substance have all gone up. The Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health defended his decision to legalize marijuana today. Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that it was the right decision when questioned by journalists about his decision to decriminalize the drug during a speech on June 6 at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. The 55-year-old has drawn criticism, along with the Thai government, as a result of a number of divisive headlines involving cannabis. Anutin predicted that the Thai cannabis market would become a “medical hub” for Asia and reach a value of up to US$3 billion in five years. The health minister, however, remained unwavering and reiterated that marijuana was decriminalized for the kingdom’s health. Plans, investments, deals, and SME businesses were all ready to go. It would be unfair if the government victimized these deserving people in this manner.

because patients utilizing alternative treatments were waiting for their procedures. Farmers anticipated the harvest of the first crop and the revenue it would generate amid the current economic depression. Unfortunately, the Cannabis Act was not finished on the same day as we decriminalized cannabis due to the Covid-19 issue. The next question from the public, in my opinion, will be “Why I didn’t wait till the legislation was imposed?” No way. No, sir. I refuse to wait. Even though I could travel back in time, I’ll never wait.

I want rules that make sense because people won’t abide by rules that don’t make sense. Taxes operate in a similar manner: adding a 40–50% tax to an item defeats the purpose. People will also go back to the underground. Even though the Cannabis Act’s first reading in Parliament was only last month, its final regulations won’t take effect until September. Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka, founder and CEO of the cannabis-focused consultancy firm Elevated Estate, recognized that the government might have provided more information about cannabis use to the populace while speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. The people won’t know what to do if they aren’t informed, even if I am aware that the health ministry cannot promote smoking or recreational use. Think about this. What can you anticipate if you keep telling them to “simply say no,” “don’t do it poorly,” or “don’t do this” without giving them any guidance? Kitty went on to remark that the lack of general knowledge about cannabis has created issues for the nation.