Key facts
- Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has threatened to shut down the country's cannabis industry.
- The decision comes amid a reported spike in global cannabis smuggling.
- Concerns have been raised about the industry being exploited for recreational use.
- The government intends to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic.
- This reclassification aims to restrict its use and curb illegal activities.
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has issued a stern warning, threatening to shut down the country's burgeoning cannabis industry. The move comes in response to a significant increase in global cannabis smuggling and concerns that the sector is being exploited for recreational purposes rather than its intended medical applications.
Thavisin stated that the government plans to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, a reversal of a previous decision that had decriminalized the plant. This proposed reclassification aims to tighten controls and curb the illicit activities and misuse that have become prevalent.
The initial decriminalization in 2022 was intended to promote medical use and create economic opportunities. However, the rapid expansion of dispensaries and the lack of clear regulations have led to widespread recreational use, prompting the government's reconsideration.