Bangkok: In a recent development concerning the Thai Cannabis Future Writing Network's planned rally at the Ministry of Public Health, Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, the Minister of Public Health, has expressed concerns about the well-being of the participants who will be exposed to harsh weather conditions during their protest.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Somsak addressed allegations that regulating cannabis as a controlled herb would benefit capitalist interests. He firmly denied any intentions of supporting monopolistic advantages, emphasizing that regulation is crucial to prevent the dominance of large capital in the cannabis industry. Mr. Somsak highlighted that if regulation is not implemented, cannabis could potentially be classified as a drug, which would require parliamentary consensus and could take up to a year to achieve. He urged all stakeholders to adopt a gradual approach to regulation, suggesting cannabis first be made a controlled herb to prevent further complications and potential reclassification as a drug.
In response to concerns about cannabis-infused products, Mr. Somsak specifically mentioned the issue of cannabis jelly, which is prohibited from being mixed with food. He stressed the importance of taking decisive action against those violating this regulation, citing the potential harm and allergic reactions such products could cause. Mr. Somsak underscored the need for vigilant enforcement to prevent any damage resulting from these violations.