Latest news with #ControlledHerbsAnnouncement
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Thailand's cannabis ‘clinic' transformation explained
Thailand is moving ahead quickly with new restrictions on cannabis use, with health officials announcing a plan to transform all cannabis dispensaries into medical clinics with resident doctors and standardised prescriptions. Dr Thanakrit Jitareerat, an assistant to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, on Tuesday addressed concerns expressed by cannabis advocacy networks, saying cannabis usage has increased tenfold to 1.5 million users since it was decriminalised in June 2022, prompting new control measures. Decriminalisation took place in the absence of a law to regulate cannabis, leading to an explosion in recreational use, with an estimated 18,000 weed shops nationwide. Advocates have questioned how authorities expect to restructure the $1-billion business in practical terms. The Controlled Herbs Announcement (Cannabis) BE 2568, issued on June 26, requires anyone wanting cannabis for medical use to obtain a prescription from a licensed member of one of seven authorised medical professions. Shops must use the standard Phor Thor 33 prescription form, the same one approved for all health providers nationwide, and submit monthly sales and prescription records, starting in July. Production and Quality Standards Cannabis must meet strict standards with minimal heavy metals, pesticides, microorganisms and fungi in order to protect consumers. Currently, 69 GACP-certified (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) cultivation plots nationwide can produce 71,850 kilogrammes of dried cannabis flowers annually, with 24,000kg exported and more than 40,000kg for domestic use. Growers with 51 additional plots are awaiting certification to boost production to 125,000kg yearly. Medical Training and Staffing Doctor training begins on July 16, with 2,000 physicians expected to complete courses, creating a ratio of one doctor per 10 cannabis shops among an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 licensed establishments. Cannabis shop staff training starts on July 17, expecting 100,000 participants. Authorities have inspected 1,565 shops since the announcement, resulting in 82 licence suspensions, five revocations, 322 closures and seven prosecutions. A public online consultation on comprehensive regulations is open until July 12. By year-end, according to Dr Thanakrit, all cannabis shops must employ licensed doctors and function as clinics rather than retail establishments. The Ministry of Public Health is also exploring ways to integrate telemedicine in order to improve access to doctors for people seeking cannabis prescriptions, he said.
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Cannabis curbs 'won't lead to monopoly'
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has rejected claims that the reclassification of cannabis as a controlled herb would benefit large businesses, saying the absence of control will result in a monopoly that would harm the sector. "[The current situation] does not benefit anyone. If left uncontrolled, large businesses will ultimately find a way to dominate," he said. When asked if the government will ultimately reclassify cannabis as an illicit drug, Mr Somsak stressed the need for a "moderate approach", saying the government won't have to resort to such a measure if the right controls are in place. His remarks came as Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future, a cannabis advocacy network, staged a rally in front of the Ministry of Public Health to protest the reclassification of cannabis and its potential relisting as a Category 5 narcotic. The network's secretary-general, Prasitchai Nunual, estimated 300-500 people took part in the protest, most of whom were business owners who set up cannabis dispensaries after it was legalised three years ago. Mr Prasitchai said the network was concerned by Mr Somsak's recent statements, which hinted at the recriminalisation of cannabis, as well as the prolonged deadlock over the Cannabis Act, which has given the Public Health Ministry undue powers to set policies on the matter through ministerial announcements. Mr Prasitchai called on the government not to reverse course, warning that reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic would lead to a resurgence of the black market. He also called on the government to urgently pass the relevant controls, saying enforcement is key to preventing the abuse of cannabis. He said while cannabis growers are required to meet Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) outlined in the Controlled Herbs Announcement (Cannabis) BE 2568, many were able to obtain the certificate for 500,000 baht, without having to prove that they have actually met the requirements. He said that effective cannabis control should focus on quality testing rather than GACP standards that impose impractical restrictions on growers, such as enclosed growing facilities equipped with CCTV cameras. Thanakrit Jitareerat, assistant to the Public Health Minister, received a petition from the group on Mr Somsak's behalf. He said that there are no immediate plans to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic. He emphasised the need to take into account wider public opinion on the matter and urged against politicising the issue.
Bangkok Post
07-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Curbs 'won't lead to monopoly'
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has rejected claims that the reclassification of cannabis as a controlled herb would benefit large businesses, saying the absence of control will result in a monopoly that would harm the sector. "[The current situation] does not benefit anyone. If left uncontrolled, large businesses will ultimately find a way to dominate," he said. When asked if the government will ultimately reclassify cannabis as an illicit drug, Mr Somsak stressed the need for a "moderate approach", saying the government won't have to resort to such a measure if the right controls are in place. His remarks came as Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future, a cannabis advocacy network, staged a rally in front of the Ministry of Public Health to protest the reclassification of cannabis and its potential relisting as a Category 5 narcotic. The network's secretary-general, Prasitchai Nunual, estimated 300-500 people took part in the protest, most of whom were business owners who set up cannabis dispensaries after it was legalised three years ago. Mr Prasitchai said the network was concerned by Mr Somsak's recent statements, which hinted at the recriminalisation of cannabis, as well as the prolonged deadlock over the Cannabis Act, which has given the Public Health Ministry undue powers to set policies on the matter through ministerial announcements. Mr Prasitchai called on the government not to reverse course, warning that reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic would lead to a resurgence of the black market. He also called on the government to urgently pass the relevant controls, saying enforcement is key to preventing the abuse of cannabis. He said while cannabis growers are required to meet Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) outlined in the Controlled Herbs Announcement (Cannabis) BE 2568, many were able to obtain the certificate for 500,000 baht, without having to prove that they have actually met the requirements. He said that effective cannabis control should focus on quality testing rather than GACP standards that impose impractical restrictions on growers, such as enclosed growing facilities equipped with CCTV cameras. Thanakrit Jitareerat, assistant to the Public Health Minister, received a petition from the group on Mr Somsak's behalf. He said that there are no immediate plans to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic. He emphasised the need to take into account wider public opinion on the matter and urged against politicising the issue.
