The streets of Bangkok have recently echoed with the chants of pro-cannabis activists, a scene vividly brought to life on a sweltering June day. There, near the Government House, throngs of advocates raised their voices against a new government proposal to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic. This policy shift, they argue, could send shockwaves through Thailand’s burgeoning cannabis industry, putting a damper on investment and undermining businesses that have flourished since the plant’s decriminalisation.
On July 5, in a decision that could ripple through Thailand’s economic landscape, a health committee responsible for overseeing illegal drugs voted by majority to relist cannabis and hemp as narcotics. The move, set to take effect from January 1, 2025, has been spearheaded by Surachoke Tangwiwat, the deputy permanent secretary for public health. The committee’s resolution is detailed: cannabis and hemp will be designated narcotic plants, with the sole exceptions being their branches, roots, and seeds. Any cannabis material containing more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will also fall under the narcotic classification.
Following this decision, the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) will review the committee’s findings. Should the NCB concur, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will then move to amend existing cannabis legislation and establish new guidelines for the plant’s use. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has already tasked the Public Health Ministry with revising a ministerial regulation to reclassify cannabis under the Category 5 Narcotics list, ensuring the regulation restricts its use to medical purposes by the end of the year.
The policy shift has rattled investors, many of whom had bet heavily on the Thai cannabis market. Hirunrat Mahaditthadakul, secretary of the Hemp and Cannabis Industries Association, voiced concerns to the Bangkok Post, saying that the government’s reversal of the previous regime’s pro-cannabis stance will erode investor confidence. “Investors will lose confidence in doing business as a result of the policy flip-flop,” she lamented. Entrepreneurs have poured billions of baht into the sector, setting up production plants and obtaining necessary licenses. The reclassification could force them to pivot, potentially producing oil extracts from other sources instead. Hirunrat warned that cannabis growers, who have committed significant resources to their operations, will also suffer.
The initial decriminalisation had opened the floodgates for both local and international investments in cannabis as a potential cash crop. Over the past two years, each entrepreneur has reportedly invested at least 10 million baht on average. However, Hirunrat cautioned that reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic could drive cultivation and sales underground. “If the plant is put back on the narcotics list, no one will want to grow it. Some may opt to smuggle the plant from neighboring countries because it is cheaper,” she warned.
Tourist hotspots, where cannabis-based products have become popular among visitors, will also feel the pinch. Shops may have to transition into traditional Thai medicine clinics to sell cannabis products legally, a costly and complex shift requiring new investments and licenses. “Once the relisting takes effect, many of these shops are expected to close down. Only big investors will survive while small entrepreneurs will go out of business,” Hirunrat predicted. She urged the government to pass a cannabis control bill, which would provide a structured regulatory framework instead of a blanket reclassification.
The political landscape is also heating up over the issue. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul pledged to oppose the reclassification when it comes before the NCB, highlighting a rift within the coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party, which advocated for decriminalisation, and the ruling Pheu Thai Party pushing for its reversal. As the leader of Bhumjaithai, Anutin promised to vote against the reclassification.
The saga of cannabis in Thailand is intriguing. The removal of cannabis from the Narcotics Category 5 list was officially published in the Royal Gazette on June 9, 2022. This change allowed people to legally cultivate and use cannabis for medicinal purposes, with goals of enhancing the economy through cannabis and hemp as cash crops. Regulations were put in place, such as no public smoking, a minimum age for buyers, and licensing requirements for cannabis growers and sellers.
However, decriminalisation advanced faster than legislative control could keep pace, leading to a largely unregulated industry where many enterprises are foreign-owned. The state of lawlessness has prompted urgent calls for comprehensive cannabis legislation, which Parliament has yet to enact.
Research into the medicinal benefits of cannabis, spearheaded by universities and academic institutions, faces potential shutdown if the plant is reclassified. Rungrueng Kitphati, director-general of the Department of Science Service, underscored the progress of these studies over the past five years, developing promising products that could revolutionize medical treatments for ailments like insomnia and Parkinson’s disease. “These products present new economic opportunities and provide medical treatment alternatives. Relisting cannabis as a narcotic will waste accumulated knowledge and halt ongoing research,” he warned.
While some committee members like Parnthep Pourpongpan oppose the reclassification, fearing it would push patients towards illicit means to obtain cannabis, others, such as Pol Lt Gen Khirisak Tantinvachai, argue for tighter controls. He cited recreational use statistics and the potential health risks, advocating that decriminalisation should only extend to medicinal purposes.
The debate rages on as Thailand stands at a crossroads. Will the push for reclassification prevail, or will cannabis continue to promise medicinal and economic benefits under a framework of carefully crafted regulations? One thing is certain: the journey of cannabis legalization in Thailand remains as complex and evolving as ever.
This is a travesty. Thailand is squandering a golden opportunity to become a global leader in the cannabis industry.
Agreed! The economic benefits alone should outweigh any archaic ‘narcotic’ label.
But we can’t ignore the public health concerns. Regulations must be stringent enough to prevent abuse.
That’s why a structured regulatory framework is needed, not a blanket reclassification. It’s the flip-flopping that hurts everyone.
Golden opportunity? More like a gateway to social decay and increased drug use among youth.
You sound like you skipped over all the medical and economic benefits mentioned in the article.
Medical benefits are significant. Ignoring them does more harm than good.
The government needs to protect its citizens. Reclassifying cannabis is a step in the right direction.
But at what cost? People will just turn to the black market.
If it helps reduce recreational misuse, it’s worth it.
Is it really governmental protection when small businesses and scientific research suffer?
Yes, because public health should take precedence. Regulations are for the greater good.
This will drive the entire industry underground. Progress just halted here.
Safety nets through regulations could prevent that. Full prohibition isn’t the answer.
Exactly, structured regulations, not outright bans, is what we need.
Cannabis is a plant, not a demon. Education and regulation should go hand in hand.
I’m worried about job losses. What will happen to local farmers and shop owners now?
They’ll suffer, clearly. The reversal is economically damaging.
And big investors will dominate, pushing small entrepreneurs out. It’s such a shame.
This is a knee-jerk reaction by the government. They aren’t thinking this through.
True. Especially when there’s significant ongoing medical research!
Does anyone care about the patients who need cannabis for treatment? How will they be affected?
Patients will likely turn to illegal sources, compromising safety and quality.
Which is why regulated medicinal use should be a priority.
Cannabis legalization needs to be nuanced. Decriminalization must come with proper controls.
The investment will just move to countries with more progressive policies.
Exactly, and Thailand will lose out on billions in revenue.
It’s not just revenue. Think of the jobs and medical advancements we’ll miss out on.
This decision could lead to environmental benefits being overlooked too. Hemp is a sustainable crop.
Back in my day, cannabis was always considered a dangerous drug. Maybe they’re right to classify it as a narcotic.
Times have changed, and so has the understanding of cannabis. It’s not the 1970s anymore.
Perhaps, but old habits die hard, and safety is always a concern.
Why can’t we find a middle ground? Over-regulation or total freedom both have their pitfalls.
Personally, I think the shift is too drastic. Gradual changes would have been more manageable for businesses.
Agreed, incremental changes would’ve allowed everyone to adapt better.
This decision basically pulls the rug out from under the feet of anyone who invested in the cannabis market.
What about the international perspective? Are foreign investors going to bail?
Definitely, as I mentioned, investor confidence will plummet.