By Euronews with AP
Published on
Thailand is further tightening control of cannabis by banning sales of the plant to those without prescriptions.
Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, in a move that boosted Thailand’s tourism and farming, and spawned thousands of shops.
But the country has faced public backlash over allegations that under-regulation has made the drug available to children and caused addiction.
Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed an order this week that bans shops from selling cannabis to customers without a prescription. It also seeks to reclassify cannabis buds as a controlled herb.
Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said Wednesday that his agency is ready to study and implement the change in regulations.
The order did not detail any punishment for the violation. It will take effect when it is published in the Royal Gazette, although it was unclear when that would happen.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party previously promised to criminalise the drug again, but faced strong resistance from its former partner in the coalition government, the Bhumjaithai Party, which supported decriminalisation.
Somsak told reporters that he would like to relist cannabis as a narcotic in the future. The move came after officials last month revealed that cannabis smuggling cases involving tourists had soared in recent months.
Phanurat said that a study done by his agency last year found the number of people addicted to cannabis had spiked significantly after it was decriminalised.
A group of cannabis advocates said Wednesday that the change in regulations was politically motivated. The group said they will rally at the Health Ministry next month to oppose the change and the attempt to make it a criminal offence again to consume or sell cannabis.