Phuket Cannabis Association Protests to Demand that Cannabis Not be Re-criminalized

Phuket –

Operators from the Phuket Cannabis Association gathered at the Phuket Provincial Health Office in Phuket Town to show that they want the Thai government to not relist cannabis as an illegal narcotic as proposed by the Thai Prime Minister, essentially banning possession and use for the average consumer.

Our previous stories:

Previously, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addressed narcotic issues and advocated for the reclassification of cannabis as a type 5 narcotic illegal drug.

In response to the statement, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, voiced his opinion and raised concerns over the issues.

Mr. Prasitchai Nunual, the secretary-general of the network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis, responded to the Thai Prime Minister’s statement regarding a proposal for the reclassification of cannabis as a type 5 narcotic drug.

Now for the update:

On Thursday (May 16^th) more than 50 people gathered at the event with papers saying ‘Cannabis Must not be Made a Narcotic.’ Leading them was Mr. Assadet Nongsang. A formal letter was handed to the Phuket Provincial Deputy Director Mr. Somsuk Somprateep with the message to show that they want to keep cannabis out of the narcotics list and to push for the Cannabis Act, which instead would regulate cannabis as a herb.

Mr. Assadet told The Phuket Express, “Cannabis operators are worried after the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin advocated for the reclassification of cannabis as a type 5 narcotic illegal drug. We estimate that the country will lose more than 100 billion Baht if this plan moves forward, and thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of people will lose their jobs. This will affect the overall employment and income of the country. We have waited for the final hemp and cannabis laws that have been debated for several years, but now the government has suddenly said that cannabis will be placed back in the narcotic list, making it illegal again and making millions of people criminals overnight. We need to keep moving forward not moving backward. Cannabis businesses across Thailand will do everything in their power to peacefully protest this proposal and come up with more rational compromises.”

Meanwhile, the Phuket Provincial Deputy Director Mr. Somsuk told The Phuket Express, “There are at least 1,500 cannabis operators in Phuket and they have expressed that they will be working together to protest cannabis becoming illegal again. We will send the letter to the Ministry of Pubic Health to ensure they hear the voice of the people.”

The Phuket Express notes that this protest was part of nationwide protests by cannabis operators across Thailand, who remain united against relisting cannabis as a narcotic.