Public Minister Health Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed opposition to a proposal to re-list some cannabis plant parts as narcotics, insisting there is no proof of illegal cannabis use under current regulations.
The minister was responding to a Change.org petition signed by 1,363 physicians who urged the government to repeal its policy to decriminalize the use and possession of cannabis use, stressing the lack of regulations to prevent its recreational use and abuse by teenagers and children.
Minister Anutin said his office was eager to address any of the group’s concerns, noting that the current restrictions on cannabis usage are designed to prohibit public smoking, while sales are limited to customers over the age of 20. He added that re-listing cannabis as a narcotic could cause misunderstanding among the public regarding the health benefits of cannabis.
Anutin said that once the legislators’ objections are addressed, he was confident they would approve the bill.
On September 14, the House of Representatives decided to remove the Cannabis and Hemp Bill from its agenda by a vote of 198 to 136, with 12 abstentions, pending revision of its content. Opposing MPs said they viewed the bill as vague, claiming it potentially exposed adolescents to health hazards. The Bhumjaithai Party, which sponsored the law, protested the bill’s withdrawal. (NNT)
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