Youth Network Against Cannabis Challenges Thai PM on Cannabis Policy Reversal, Questions Political Motives

National —

On July 23rd, 2024, the Youth Network Against Cannabis (YNAC) issued a statement urging the Thai government to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, opposing the recent Cabinet decision to regulate it legally under a new cannabis control regulation instead involving Parliament and the Senate

YNAC highlighted what they say is the total disregard for over 200,000 alleged signatures they gathered supporting the reclassification and the results of a NIDA poll showing 75% public approval for the move. They also noted that 80,000 people, or 80% of those who participated in a government run survey, allegedly supported the Ministry of Public Health’s draft to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic.

Read our latest article about the Thai government backing off from its plan to recriminalize cannabis as an illegal narcotic, mentioning the need for regulatory legislation for cannabis.

YNAC posed three critical questions to the Thai Prime Minister:

1. Why has the government reversed its stance despite what they claim is clear evidence of the negative impacts of cannabis legalization observed over the past two years? They emphasized that the Prime Minister previously directed the Minister of Public Health to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, yet now supports its legal control under a new regulation.
2. Is the Prime Minister aware that drafting and passing new cannabis control legislation could take 2-3 years, prolonging the current unregulated status and what they say is its associated harms to the public and youth? YNAC questioned if the delay indicates a preference for recreational use.
3. Are political interests being prioritised over public welfare, despite the alleged majority’s desire for cannabis to be reclassified as a narcotic? They stressed that the government’s anti-drug policies are contradicted by allowing cannabis to remain unregulated, despite what they claim is international recognition of cannabis as a drug.

YNAC calls for an immediate reclassification of cannabis as an illegal narcotic under existing drug laws, ensuring public and youth protection without waiting for new legislation. They argue that reclassification would allow for strict medical and research use in line with government intentions while upholding democratic principles by reflecting the majority’s will.

This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.