Thai Cannabis Advocates Prepare to Challenge Legal Reversal in Policy | Global News

In a bold move to challenge the Thai government’s plan to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic, hundreds of cannabis entrepreneurs, farmers, and activists gathered in Bangkok for a rally. The government’s decision to reverse the decriminalization of marijuana, just two years after it was legalized, has sparked outrage among the cannabis community.

At the rally, nearly 2,000 signatures were collected in support of a legal petition to halt the government’s move. Cannabis advocates held up posters with messages like “stop villainizing cannabis” as they voiced their opposition to the reclassification.

The petition, which will be filed with an administrative court against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, aims to challenge the government’s decision and protect the interests of the cannabis industry. Jerawat Tanyaprirom, a cannabis business owner leading the petition, emphasized the potential financial losses that could result from the government’s u-turn on marijuana policy.

The re-criminalization of marijuana has thrown the local cannabis industry into uncertainty, with many calling for the government to regulate the industry through legislation rather than imposing a blanket ban. Advocacy groups are planning a fresh rally on June 9 to mark the second anniversary of Thailand’s decriminalization policy.

Despite the government’s decision to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic, cannabis for medical and health purposes will still be allowed. The cannabis industry in Thailand has seen significant growth since legalization in 2022, with over 1 million households registered to plant cannabis and commercial cultivation by companies seeking to capitalize on the booming demand.