Thailand moves ahead to ban recreational marijuana use with draft bill
Marijuana
Thailand's health ministry has sought Prime MinisterSrettha Thavisin cabinet's approval for a draft bill that seeks to ban the recreational use of cannabis, according to reports. The reversal comes over a year after Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalise the product.
Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew informed the bill be proposed to the cabinet meeting next week.
"The new bill will be amended from the existing one to only allow the use of cannabis for health and medicinal purposes,"Srikaew said, adding that the "use for fun is considered wrong".
Ever since coming to power in August last year,Thavisin has batted against the recreational use of marijuana, stating that the drug should only be used for medicinal purposes.
In September, he warned that the use of cannabiscould lead to "wider narcotic drug problems". The potential ban is also part of delivering on hiselection promise that he made during the canvassing trail.
Watch |Thailand to ban recreational Cannabis use, after historic decriminalisation
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Thailand and its marijuana history
If passed, the new law would impose fines of up to 60,000 baht ($1,700) for recreational use, while advertising or marketing campaigns regarding such use could lead to prison terms of up to one year or fines as high as 100,000 baht ($2,856).
Prior to the legalisation, Thailand was notorious for tough drug laws with those caught with cannabis on themstaring at prison sentences of 10 years or above and hefty fines.
Notably, the acceleration in the draft bill process comes after fresh pressure from the public. Last weekend, popular British pop band Coldplay held a concertin Bangkok where attendees complained about the entire concert smelling of marijuana.
Smoking marijuana in public remained illegal even under the relaxed laws. The recent draft comes after an earlier proposal was rejected in the country’s parliament back in November.
Many business owners, who have reaped profits ever since cannabis was decriminalised, support greater regulation of the use. However, the government seems incessant in bringing legislation to combat recreational use.
A report by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has estimated that the sector could be worth $1.2 billion by 2025.
(With inputs from agencies)