Bangkok: The Thai Cannabis Future Writing Network has officially submitted a letter to the Ministry of Public Health to voice opposition against the reclassification of cannabis as a controlled herb. The network is advocating for the acceleration of the Cannabis Act and has planned a rally for July 7 to further their cause.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Chokwan Kitty Chopaka, President of the Thai Cannabis Future Writing Network, delivered the letter to the Ministry, requesting urgent action to advance the Cannabis Act. The letter criticized the Ministry, led by Dr. Cholanat Srikaew, for not advancing the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act despite having completed a public hearing. The new Minister of Public Health, Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, has yet to move the draft forward, leaving Thailand without a comprehensive law to manage cannabis, which has led to multiple negative impacts.
The network emphasized the need for a master law to regulate cannabis-related activities, from cultivation to consumer protection. Without such a law, regulations lack coherence and direction, negatively affecting multiple stakeholders. The network's demands included opposing the current draft announcement by the Ministry, which they claim overlooks important information and limits access to cannabis to professionals. They urged the Ministry to expedite parliamentary approval of the Cannabis Act.
Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Thanakrit Jit-arirat, Assistant Minister of Public Health, who received the letter, stated that any move to reclassify cannabis must consider public and medical opinions. The Bhumjaithai Party, which proposed the policy, used similar criteria. He also addressed concerns over illegal medical certificates being sold online, noting that doctors issuing certificates without proper diagnosis would face professional consequences.
The network plans to rally at the Ministry on July 7 at 13:00 to solidify their stance and demand the cancellation of the herbal medicine control announcement. Meanwhile, Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health, held a press conference regarding the 22nd National Herbal Festival, highlighting the Ministry's efforts to promote Thai herbs in the health economy.
The Ministry aims to enhance the use of herbal medicine in Thailand's healthcare system by 2026, with plans to expand the herbal market significantly by 2027. Despite the controversy surrounding cannabis, Mr. Somsak remained focused on the broader goals of the herbal festival and declined to comment further on the cannabis issue.