The Pheu Thai-led government has changed its mind about making cannabis and hemp legal, deciding to classify cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic, except for medical and health purposes.
The Prime Minister has told the Public Health ministry to update its regulations to include cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic, to be completed within this year.
Cannabis can still be used for medical and health reasons, but not for fun.
This change of policy is a blow to the Bhumjaithai party, a government coalition partner, who had pushed for making cannabis and hemp legal during the Prayut administration, resulting in widespread cannabis cultivation and many cannabis shops.
The prime minister met with agencies involved in fighting illegal drugs, such as the Public Health, Justice, and Interior ministries, as well as national security agencies.
The prime minister also discussed the law on methamphetamine, saying that the current law doesn't specify the amount of pills for personal use or trafficking, making it hard for law enforcement to distinguish between users and dealers.
To clear up the confusion, the prime minister proposed rewriting the law to state that having one meth pill is for personal use and two or more pills is for trafficking.
Despite increased efforts to stop illegal drugs and the government putting the issue on the national agenda, more illegal drugs, especially meth pills, are still being smuggled into the country and are easily available.
The Prime Minister pointed out that one reason meth pills are still flowing into the country and are easily accessible is that authorities are struggling to catch major dealers, urging them to intensify their efforts and go after the big fish to cut off their resources.
