Image Source: Joint effort: Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network leader, Prasitchai Nunual, far left with microphone, asks people to support the network’s campaign not to have cannabis put back on the narcotic drug list, at the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, on Friday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Activist groups who support cannabis are pleading with the future government coalition that will be led by the Move Forward Party (MFP) to refrain from reclassifying cannabis as a controlled substance.
On Friday, representatives of the Cannabis for the People Association, led by the organization’s organizer Ratthapon Saenrak, delivered their complaints about the situation to the office of the MFP. This took place prior to the Cannabis for the People Association’s meeting with the party to discuss its policies towards cannabis.
Mr. Ratthapon claims that the association has been working on the issue of cannabis consumption for at least ten years with the intention of eliminating the plant from the list of substances classified as narcotic drugs. Having said that, they believed that there was a possibility that they had a more effective method to manage the usage of the plant than to include it in a contract describing their working agenda that was signed by eight members of the alliance on May 22.
The members of the association expressed concern that reinstatement of the plant on the list in the absence of any supporting literature could have a more widespread impact on society than the simple act of removing it.
They stated that people who engaged in the sector legitimately from the beginning would face sudden and unfair allegations later, and that it might damage those whose businesses and livelihoods depend on cannabis.
According to Mr. Ratthapon, the members responded to two primary grievances. One of these was a request that a debate be held about what those who have benefited from the plant should do in the future before any law is potentially passed criminalizing the plant. The other advocated for the passage of legislation that would seal any legal gaps that might permit widespread recreational use of the plant.
MP-elect Woraphob Wiriyaroj stated that the party will examine a new cannabis law that protects minors while also balancing the interests of users of cannabis who are of legal age. He also stated that the party will continue conversations with the association over this matter.
In addition, members of the Cannabis Future Network in Thailand will send Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha a list of their objections.
On Friday, the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission in Bangkok hosted a commemorative event for National Cannabis Day. The event was staged in honor of the holiday.
In addition, there was a debate discussing plans to govern the plant’s usage, which was led by Prasitchai Nunual, the leader of the network. There was also a table with a petition at the event, which asked that cannabis not be added back to the list of narcotic drugs.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2588966/activists-make-case-for-weed
Medical cannabis professional based in Phuket, Thailand.
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