Thailand Moves To Make Non Medical Weed Illegal Again After Rupture In Coalitio
Bloomberg2 days
Thailand Moves to Recriminalize Cannabis
Above: A cannabis shop in Bangkok displays a "buy one, get one" sign in front of the store and the products. Image copyright: Watcharawit Phudork/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
This cannabis crackdown is necessary to protect public health and restore order. Unregulated recreational use has created serious social problems, especially harming children and young people in tourist areas. The original goal of the law was medical use only, and proper enforcement will create a better atmosphere for tourism and local communities.
Government-critical narrative
This policy reversal will destroy a legitimate industry that could have transformed Thai agriculture, medicine, and tourism. The cannabis sector has become a hostage to politics, with thousands of operators who invested heavily now facing financial ruin without relief measures. Better enforcement of existing laws would solve problems without criminalizing the entire industry.