The Minister of Public Health supported the legalization of cannabis after the governor of Bangkok expressed concern about the health problems that could result from the use of the recently de-classified plant.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said he was concerned about reports of patients being admitted to hospital after using cannabis, including a death from heart failure.
In response, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the primary objective of legalizing cannabis is medical, adding that the subject had been discussed in detail and approved by the Thai parliament. He also warned people who would like to use isolated health events for political purposes.
The Minister of Public Health, also responded to a senator’s suggestion that the Cabinet should issue a decree concerning the abuse or irresponsible use of cannabis while the passage of the bill is pending in the current parliamentary session. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul added that the Ministry of Public Health has already carried out an information campaign regarding the proper use of cannabis and that an additional decree is not necessary. He added that the interdiction of smoking cannabis in public will soon be announced in the Royal Gazette.
The legalization of cannabis for medical purposes came into effect on June 9, following a Ministry of Public Health publication in the Royal Gazette. The removal of cannabis from Thailand’s category 5 narcotics list officially legalized its production, import, export, distribution, consumption and possession. However, cannabis oil extracts containing more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are still considered narcotics and are governed by narcotics laws.
