Latest news with #Somsak
Time Out
28-05-2025
- Health
- Time Out
High and dry? Thailand's cannabis scene faces prescription rewrite
It's been almost three years since Thailand legalised marijuana and in that time, weed cafes have popped up everywhere, especially around nightlife hotspots. For some, the scent of the herb is an open invitation, but for others, it's less welcome. As the buzz grows louder, so does the debate. Since legalisation, a few downsides have surfaced, mainly because clear rules haven't quite kept up. Unregulated edibles have hit the market without proper quality checks, public marijuana smoking has led to complaints and there's been a reported increase in minor crimes connected to unregulated cannabis use. On top of all this, enforcing age restrictions has presented its own challenge. Now, a shift is on the horizon as Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin calls for new regulations to roll back recreational use and crack down on abuses. At a press conference on May 21, the Public Health Minister said cannabis users in Thailand might soon need to show a medical certificate from a licensed doctor or traditional Thai medicine practitioner to prove they're using it for health reasons. This rule would apply to both locals and visitors. Under the latest proposal, Mr Somsak has asked the Ministry of Public Health to draft new regulations within 40 days. This plan is also supported by Dr Somlerk Jeungsmarn, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, who explained at a press conference that medical certificates might soon be required to prove users suffer from conditions such as seizures, headaches, pain or insomnia. There could also be limits on usage, such as a permitted dosage for one month. Using cannabis beyond that period would no longer be considered medical and could lead to prosecution. Regarding penalties, he mentioned that imprisonment is being considered. The journey toward legalising marijuana in Thailand began on June 9, 2022, when the country officially removed the entire cannabis plant including its flowers and leaves, but excluding extracts with high THC content from its category five narcotics list. This change decriminalised cultivation, possession and consumption. The move was motivated by hopes of boosting pot tourism and developing a new industry around cannabis-based products, ranging from medical and herbal remedies to food and cosmetics. However, a comprehensive law to regulate recreational use has been under ongoing debate and development ever since. On the other hand, the news hasn't gone down well with cannabis advocates. Many have expressed disappointment over the plan. It's still unclear whether the new rule will pass through parliament, but one thing's certain is that change is coming for weed in Thailand. Some people might benefit, while others could face more challenges. What do you think? Will this new regulation do the country any good?
The Star
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Prescription and quantity cap to weed out herb smuggling
THE country aims to clamp down on easy access to cannabis by mandating medical prescriptions amid rising instances of tourists attempting to smuggle out large quantities of weed. Dispensaries will be allowed to sell cannabis only to those with licenses or with prescriptions from medical professionals, including traditional medicine practitioners, when proposed changes to existing rules take effect in about 40 days. The amount sold will also be limited to 30 days of use, according to the Ministry of Public Health. The new rules, which will be binding on locals and foreigners alike, come after Thai authorities intercepted 73kg of cannabis earlier this week at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport. Weed smuggled out of Thailand has reached the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong and many other destinations, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said. Thailand will now make it harder to access cannabis except for medical reasons, he added. Thailand was the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, but has so far struggled to regulate and contain its free use. A legal vacuum, without a cannabis law in place, has allowed more than 10,700 cannabis dispensaries to open nationwide, with many in popular tourist areas and business districts in Bangkok and beyond. The South-East Asian country has also made several policy u-turns after recreational smoking became a hot-button issue due to wider societal concerns over addiction. Somsak's ruling Pheu Thai Party had vowed to re-list marijuana as a narcotic to restrict its use to just medical purposes, but opposition from Bhumjaithai Party, the second-biggest group in the ruling coalition, has forced Pheu Thai to walk back on its pledge and keep the plant legal. While cannabis can be consumed within Thailand, it has been smuggled out of the country in tourist luggages or by mail. Since British and Thai authorities joined forces last year, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempted cannabis smuggling. Thai airport authorities have also intercepted over 800 cannabis smugglers and seized over nine tonnes of cannabis, the British government said in a statement. The new rules are likely to be temporary as Thailand is still working on a full-fledged cannabis bill to regulate the wider uses, sales, exports and production of the plant. The draft Bill was unveiled last September but hasn't been approved by the Cabinet or reached parliament for deliberation. — Bloomberg
The Star
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Surge in cannabis smuggling prompts Thailand to tighten rules
Dispensaries will be allowed to sell cannabis only to those with licences or with prescriptions from medical professionals. -- PHOTO: AFP BANGKOK (Bloomberg): Thailand aims to clamp down on easy access to cannabis by mandating medical prescriptions amid rising instances of tourists attempting to smuggle out large quantities of weed. Dispensaries will be allowed to sell cannabis only to those with licenses or with prescriptions from medical professionals, including traditional medicine practitioners, when proposed changes to existing rules take effect in about 40 days. The amount sold will also be limited to 30 days of use, according to the Ministry of Public Health. The new rules, which will be binding on locals and foreigners alike, come after Thai authorities intercepted 73 kilograms of cannabis earlier this week at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport. Weed smuggled out of Thailand has reached the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong and many other destinations, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said. Thailand will now make it harder to access cannabis except for medical reasons, he added. Thailand was the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis in 2022, but has so far struggled to regulate and contain its free use. A legal vacuum, without a cannabis law in place, has allowed more than 10,700 cannabis dispensaries to open nationwide, with many in popular tourist areas and business districts in Bangkok and beyond. The Southeast Asian country has also made several policy u-turns after recreational smoking became a hot-button issue due to wider societal concerns over addiction. Somsak's ruling Pheu Thai Party had vowed to re-list marijuana as a narcotic to restrict its use to just medical purposes, but opposition from Bhumjaithai Party, the second-biggest group in the ruling coalition, has forced Pheu Thai to walk back on its pledge and keep the plant legal. While cannabis can be consumed within Thailand, it has been smuggled out of the country in tourist luggages or by mail. Since British and Thai authorities joined forces last year, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempted cannabis smuggling. Thai airport authorities have also intercepted over 800 cannabis smugglers and seized over 9 tons of cannabis, the British government said in a statement. The new rules are likely to be temporary as Thailand is still working on a full-fledged cannabis bill to regulate the wider uses, sales, exports and production of the plant. The draft bill was unveiled in September but hasn't been approved by the cabinet or reached parliament for deliberation. "The cannabis bill will go on its own track, but it can't be rushed. We're looking at two more years before it's ready,' Somsak told reporters. "If people are still unhappy, we'll re-criminalize it.' The public and industry stakeholders have until June 5 to submit feedback on the proposed ministry regulation, which will then be submitted to the cabinet for approval. -- ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Mint
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Surge in Cannabis Smuggling Prompts Thailand to Tighten Rules
Thailand aims to clamp down on easy access to cannabis by mandating medical prescriptions amid rising instances of tourists attempting to smuggle out large quantities of weed. Dispensaries will be allowed to sell cannabis only to those with licenses or with prescriptions from medical professionals, including traditional medicine practitioners, when proposed changes to existing rules take effect in about 40 days. The amount sold will also be limited to 30 days of use, according to the Ministry of Public Health. The new rules, which will be binding on locals and foreigners alike, come after Thai authorities intercepted 73 kilograms of cannabis earlier this week at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport. Weed smuggled out of Thailand has reached the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong and many other destinations, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said. Thailand will now make it harder to access cannabis except for medical reasons, he added. Thailand was the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis in 2022, but has so far struggled to regulate and contain its free use. A legal vacuum, without a cannabis law in place, has allowed more than 10,700 cannabis dispensaries to open nationwide, with many in popular tourist areas and business districts in Bangkok and beyond. The Southeast Asian country has also made several policy u-turns after recreational smoking became a hot-button issue due to wider societal concerns over addiction. Somsak's ruling Pheu Thai Party had vowed to re-list marijuana as a narcotic to restrict its use to just medical purposes, but opposition from Bhumjaithai Party, the second-biggest group in the ruling coalition, has forced Pheu Thai to walk back on its pledge and keep the plant legal. While cannabis can be consumed within Thailand, it has been smuggled out of the country in tourist luggages or by mail. Since British and Thai authorities joined forces last year, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempted cannabis smuggling. Thai airport authorities have also intercepted over 800 cannabis smugglers and seized over 9 tons of cannabis, the British government said in a statement. The new rules are likely to be temporary as Thailand is still working on a full-fledged cannabis bill to regulate the wider uses, sales, exports and production of the plant. The draft bill was unveiled in September but hasn't been approved by the cabinet or reached parliament for deliberation. 'The cannabis bill will go on its own track, but it can't be rushed. We're looking at two more years before it's ready,' Somsak told reporters. 'If people are still unhappy, we'll re-criminalize it.' READ: Thailand Unveils Bill to Regulate Cannabis And Keep It Legal The public and industry stakeholders have until June 5 to submit feedback on the proposed ministry regulation, which will then be submitted to the cabinet for approval. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
