A new movement by both government and private organizations may lead to the decriminalization of marijuana in the near future for its pain-relief benefits.
At a public forum on Monday about the possible decriminalization, four agencies all agreed that marijuana should be pulled from the list of illegal Category 5 drugs.
This does not mean that we’re about to be hanging out at weed cafes a la Amsterdam, but the movement will at least decriminalize it. Whether or how the drugs will be controlled still needs to be figured out.
The four organizations that sent representatives to the meeting were the Crime Suppression Police, Drug Suppression Police, National Agricultural Council and officials from the Council of State.
According to the current Narcotic Act B.E. 2522, the possession of marijuana for any reason could lead to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of THB100,000. The consumption of marijuana could land you one year in prison and/or a fine of THB20,000.
Dr. Somnuek Siripantong, who researches marijuana as treatment for cancer, said there is a group in Thailand called “Marijuana Users” that uses medical marijuana to provide relief to children suffering from epilepsy, muscle weakness and cancer and that these children have had some good results from the natural remedy, Daily News reported.
Meanwhile, Pol. Maj. Gen. Supakij Srichantaranon, Deputy Commander of Drugs Suppression Police, said the Department of Public Health will need to issue additional laws to control the drugs.
The National Agricultural Council will gather more information and submit their proposal to decriminalize marijuana to the cabinet for consideration, MThai reported.
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