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Cannabis to be relisted as narcotic in Thailand by year-end

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on May 8 that cannabis would be re-listed as a narcotic by the end of 2024, two years after the country became the first in the region to decriminalise its recreational use.

Illustrative photo (deccanherald.com)
Illustrative photo (deccanherald.com)

Hanoi (VNA) – Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on May 8 that cannabis would be re-listed as a narcotic by the end of 2024, two years after the country became the first in the region to decriminalise its recreational use.

The leader asked the Health Ministry to amend the list again to include cannabis, and issue new rules to allow its use for medical purposes only.

PM Srettha voiced his opposition to the recreational use of cannabis since taking office last year, arguing it could exacerbate existing drug abuse problems in Thailand.

Cannabis was decriminalised for medical use in 2018 and recreational use in 2022 under the previous government, leading to rapid growth of small businesses selling cannabis products, which now number in the tens of thousands./.

VNA
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