Network to protest cannabis re-listing

A pro-cannabis network will gather at the Ministry of Public Health on July 7 to protest Minister Somsak Thepsutin’s move to re-list cannabis as a narcotic, calling it a politically motivated act of revenge against the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) rather than a move to address concerns for young people in society.

- APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

The Network of Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future said Mr Somsak was using this issue for political gain, especially given the BJT's recent withdrawal from the government coalition.

“Mr Somsak previously tried hard to return cannabis to the narcotics list but failed. After that, he did nothing to crack down on the use of the plant despite having voiced concern about its dangers,” the group said.

“However, as soon as the Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the coalition, Mr Somsak suddenly reiterated his old claims about the dangers of cannabis with the sole aim of re-listing it as a narcotic.”