The Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul mentioned today that his Bhumjaithai party had kept its promise to make cannabis possession legal, but the party was betrayed when its related bill passed its initial approval in the House, and then was stopped from progressing further.
In response to the government's plan to reclassify cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic, Anutin asserts that the party has scientific evidence of the benefits of cannabis for medical and health purposes, and challenges those who oppose cannabis to present valid information proving its drawbacks.
He revealed that the issue with cannabis is the absence of a governing law for its usage, mentioning that the authority to remove cannabis from Category 5, or reinstate it, lies with the Narcotic Prevention and Suppression Board and the Narcotic Control Committee, headed by the permanent secretary of public health.
Despite no longer leading the Ministry of Public Health, the Bhumjaithai party leader stated that he remains a member of the Narcotic Prevention and Suppression Board. In this role, he indicated that he will offer scientific information to the board in support of cannabis, but emphasized that the board has the final decision on the matter.
When asked about existing cannabis retail outlets, which are now numerous, Anutin mentioned that they are currently regulated by a ministerial rule from the Public Health Ministry.
