Health and administrative officials on Dec 1 inspected cannabis shops in Khao San Road areas, following controversial reports of some establishments explicitly advertising recreational cannabis use.
Officials from the Ministry of Public Health, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the Metropolitan Police paid a visit to the tourist hotspot Khao San Road area in Bangkok, to inspect establishments offering cannabis to customers. The legalization of cannabis and hemp in Thailand has faced criticism including whether or not the current regulations are sufficient to discourage inappropriate use, as the government insists on promoting cannabis and hemp mainly for medical purposes.
Recent announcements by the Ministry of Public Health have introduced more control on the use of cannabis, declaring cannabis buds and flowers controlled items, and prohibiting cannabis sales for in-shop smoking.
This in-shop cannabis smoking room setting, which is being offered by some shops on Khao San Road, is however not punishable by ministerial regulations albeit a violation. Officials are looking into other laws that can impose punishment on shop owners.
All cannabis shops at Khao San Road are found operating with corresponding licenses as required by law, except for a shop operating on a license registered in Lopburi province. Shops advertising recreational cannabis use were asked to remove those signposts.
Officials are also inspecting whether an establishment with a traditional Thai medicine clinic signpost operates on a correct license. The clinic and the relevant practitioners could face legal prosecution if they do not have a permit required to operate this type of clinic.
Dr. Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong, Director General of the Department of Thai Traditional And Alternative Medicine, has asked business owners to comply with all the regulations surrounding cannabis to ensure long-term cannabis legalization for medicine and economy, otherwise, such regulations would only grow more stringent. (NNT)
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