NationThailand-May 9
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Thursday has ordered government agencies to put stricter measures against narcotics in place, including relisting cannabis as a narcotic and only allowing its use for medical and health-related purposes. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said that the PM chaired a meeting at the Government House on Wednesday to discuss drug problems across Thailand. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, as well as executives of related agencies, attended the meeting. Chai said the premier underscored the importance of tackling drug problems at the community level, with a focus on apprehending large and small dealers as well as placing drug addicts in robust treatment and rehabilitation programs to prevent them from relapsing. The PM tasked the Justice Ministry, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau to work together to arrest drug dealers and seize their assets to shut down drug networks, said Chai. He added that the PM also urged the Public Health Ministry to consider putting cannabis back on the category 5 narcotics list and issue a clear regulation that allows the use of the plant for only medical and health-related purposes. Cannabis was legalized in Thailand on June 9, 2022, although public smoking and sale to children and pregnant women have been banned. The ambiguous usage terms and possession limit of cannabis have been subject to debate ever since. Read more at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40037876
