Over 850 doctors in Thailand protest against legalization of cannabis

If Thailand’s transformation from a nation with one of the toughest drug laws to a place with legal cannabis seemed too much, too soon – you are not alone. Doctors from across Thailand are speaking out about what they believe is a ruthless cannabis law that offers no protection against children and young people.

The President of the Forensic Physician Association of Thailand, Smith Srisont, published a document in Thai on Change.org with a list of demands to the government. “Turn off the vacuum state of cannabis,” the post reads. The “vacuum” is how the document describes the lack of regulatory controls compared to systems in other countries. Srisont has helped determine the dangers of other substances like kratom in the past.

Over 851 doctors signed the petition, which was published in Thai, but it should be noted that all 851 signers are doctors and graduates of a single school – Ramathibodi Medical Faculty Hospital, Mahidol University in Ratchathewi, Bangkok. However, the school is considered the most respected medical institution in the country.

The document states that studies show that cannabis may affect the health of children and adolescents, as well as the growth of their brains. The document added that with legalization on the agenda, the move now threatens the healthcare system and the health of Thais in both the short and long term.

“Cannabis was removed from the Department of Health’s narcotics list on June 9, but no guidelines were put in place to control the use of cannabis for personal pleasure,” a spokesman for the group said. This lack of [legal] Direction makes cannabis more accessible for children and young people.”

Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was accused on Tuesday by the opposition party of deliberately creating a “legal vacuum” in Thailand where there is no law regulating the use of cannabis, hemp or extracts after the Decriminalization of cannabis allowed the country last month.

Fear in Thai media

The country also experienced a wave of anxiety-provoking news articles following the introduction of legal cannabis in the country. Thai PBS reports that in the month following legalization, nine children became ill from unsupervised cannabis use. It was also reported that a 6-year-old child ate cannabis-infused snacks and “fainted” while a 15-year-old boy with a known history of depression attacked people with a knife after smoking two joints.

The group invited physicians or alumni to sign their names and announced they would also vote a campaign on Change.org for the public. The campaign goal was set at 15,000 names and the campaign reached more than 10,800 people.

“The government and relevant bodies should stop threatening people’s health as soon as possible,” the document said at the end. “Medical use of cannabis should be under control for best benefit and safety, as the government has claimed from the start.”

Thai doctors began voicing concerns months ago that cannabis could trigger mental health problems. Criticism has also come from those who fear the law change could damage the reputation of Thailand’s agricultural exports, as the biomass could be used as animal feed.

Some of the changes were too much for the people of the county to handle. On the plus side, it also has a lasting positive effect. Thailand’s sudden change of heart towards cannabis is causing other countries in the region, such as Indonesia, to reconsider their own approach to cannabis.