Activists Rally to Keep Cannabis Decriminalized In Thailand

Cannabis supporters, growers, and smokers rallied on Tuesday outside of Government House in Bangkok — the headquarters for Thailand’s national government — in an attempt to dissuade authorities from recriminalizing the plant, the Associated Press reports. About 200 advocates were present for the rally which took place due to concerns that officials may roll back the country’s cannabis decriminalization reforms.

“We want to ensure that these politicians are not trying to put cannabis on the narcotics list again. If that happens, our fight for years will mean nothing.” — Akradej Chakjinda, coordinator for the cannabis support network Cannakin, via the Associated Press

Thailand effectively decriminalized cannabis in February after the government dropped the plant from the nation’s narcotics list. In June, lawmakers took steps to legalize the trade and cultivation of cannabis at the national level and approved the sale of products containing less than 0.2% THC — officially, cannabis plants and cannabis-based products are legal but not for recreational use. But despite polls showing a majority of Thai citizens in support of the reforms, calls for reigning in the country’s bustling new cannabis industry have become more common as the unofficial recreational market gets both larger and bolder.

Tuesday’s rally at Government House was scheduled to coincide with the national Narcotics Control Board meeting there to discuss potential changes to the country’s cannabis reform laws.

Earlier this month, Thailand‘s Public Health Ministry already announced stricter rules regarding the promotion and sale of adult-use cannabis products, according to the report.