Cannabis at crossroads

Advocates call for clear pot rules to protect all stakeholders, writes Poramet Tangsathaporn

- Poramet Tangsathaporn

Cannabis advocates in Thailand are calling on the new government to deliver legislation that protects users, businesses, nonusers and minors, following concerns that recent regulatory changes have created monopolistic industry conditions.

At the “Drugs Community Forum”, recently organised by the Health & Opportunity Network, Thai cannabis activist Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka said the current amendments risked excluding smaller players and undermining consumer protection.

She stated that, following the amendment to the Cannabis regulation in late June, only those holding Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) certificates issued by the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine are permitted to sell cannabis flowers. Currently, only 79 locations hold such certification, leaving approximately 18,000 licensed dispensaries dependent on a handful of certified suppliers.

"This could be considered monopolisation of cannabis selling, where only a few benefit from the trade while others struggle in a shrinking market," she said.

Another amendment required consumers to obtain a certified medical prescription before purchasing cannabis. Ms Chokwan said this gave an advantage to wealthier dispensaries, which were able to hire doctors or convert their outlets into clinics, while some prescriptions were being issued by personnel without proper medical certification.