Thailand’s Cannabis Advocates Rally Against Proposed Recreational Use Ban

BANGKOK — Two years after cannabis was decriminalized in Thailand, nearly a hundred advocates marched to the prime minister’s office on Monday to protest a possible ban on general use. This comes after the health ministry’s drug control committee approved a proposal on Friday to relist cannabis as a narcotic, limiting its use to medical and research purposes. The proposal will be submitted to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board this week and could take effect on January 1.

Cannabis activists and entrepreneurs, some carrying potted marijuana plants, gathered at the United Nations headquarters in central Bangkok before marching towards the Government House. Prasitchai Nunuan, representing a pro-cannabis network, argued that cannabis should be regulated by the health ministry rather than being criminalized again. He accused the government of benefiting select interest groups by restricting the drug’s use to medical purposes.

“This fight for cannabis is not only for medical security or people’s rights but also for destroying the monopoly of politicians taking (its) benefits away from the people,” Nunuan stated.

Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka, a cannabis shop owner and activist, accused the Thai Cabinet of letting politics influence the decision and called for policies that benefit the majority. “Who are you to judge what they use it for and how they use it?” she added.

Police barricaded the road to the Government House, stopping the protesters who then set up camp nearby, vowing to stay until their demands were met. An official later received their written petition.

In May, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed intentions to outlaw cannabis again, prompting protests from advocates concerned about the economic impact. Legal cannabis has significantly boosted Thailand’s tourism and farming sectors and led to the proliferation of cannabis retailers.

Pock Pechthong, a cannabis grower, emphasized the economic consequences of a rollback. “Everybody’s spent a lot of money already. I’m a grower, so our main concern is not being able to grow or use it,” he said.

Following decriminalization in 2022, cannabis was initially intended for medicinal use, but the market remained largely unregulated, leading to public backlash and concerns over misuse and crime. Last month, Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin cited an online survey indicating that over 80% of 111,201 participants supported the ban, though the results were not publicly shared.

The Bhumjaithai Party, led by Anutin Charnvirakul, who spearheaded the decriminalization, promised that cannabis would become a new cash crop for farmers in the impoverished northeast. Anutin, now the interior minister, publicly opposed the proposed ban, acknowledging the adverse impact on the cannabis industry despite his party not supporting recreational use.