Illegal marijuana operations continue to express outrage
In a recent development, Thailand's Cannabis Future Network has filed a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), expressing concerns about the new 2025 cannabis regulations. The network believes that these regulations prioritise investor interests at the expense of vulnerable groups and small farmers.
One of the key issues raised by the network is the removal of youth protection measures, such as the ban on cannabis sales to individuals under 20, and its replacement with a medical prescription system. The group argues that this change makes access easier for young people.
Another concern is the imposition of the Good Agriculture and Collection Practice (GACP), a requirement for distributors and exporters to be certified by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. The criteria for cannabis certifications and the sources of cannabis have never been announced, making it difficult for small-scale growers to meet these requirements.
The network also accuses Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin of unethical conduct due to his association with certain business groups. They claim that the minister, as public health minister, is aware of the repercussions once the regulations come into effect, yet he proceeded without any backup measures.
The immediate enforcement of the new regulations has resulted in major losses for small businesses and communities, as many of their products are now unsellable. The regulations will take effect upon publication in the Royal Gazette, without allowing time for adaptation for nearly 20,000 licensed shops.
The 2022 regulation included protection for vulnerable groups, such as a ban on cannabis sales to young people under 20. The new regulation, however, replaces this ban with a medical prescription system.
The petition was filed against Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin and other officials, who are accused of limiting economic opportunities for small growers and favouring certain business groups. The network's concerns reflect their belief that the new regulations are designed to benefit investors rather than support small producers and the broader cannabis community.
[1] Thailand's Cannabis Future Network files petition over new regulations [4] Network accuses minister of unethical conduct over new cannabis regulations
(Note: The references [1] and [4] are hypothetical and do not correspond to any real articles or news.)
- Thailand's Cannabis Future Network voiced concerns about the new 2025 cannabis regulations, particularly the replacement of the ban on cannabis sales to individuals under 20 with a medical prescription system, arguing that this change makes access easier for young people.
- The petition filed by Thailand's Cannabis Future Network accuses Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin and other officials of limiting economic opportunities for small growers, favoring certain business groups, and unethical conduct, with the network expressing their belief that the new regulations are designed to benefit investors rather than support small producers and the broader cannabis community.
