Bangkok Governor concerned around cannabis use in youth, Governor to launch “Cannabis-free” school policy

PHOTO: Bangkokbiznews

Bangkok –

  The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported that one alleged fatality was found for cannabis use and three patients were treated at hospitals, including a 16-year-old teenager, after the plant was decriminalized last Thursday, causing concern from the Bangkok Governor.

The health reports, however, were widely criticized on Thai and English language social media, with many people skeptical of the information, notes TPN.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated during the Bangkok Executive Committee Meeting yesterday morning, June 14th, that the BMA’s departments of Medical Services, Public Health, and Education had monitored the situation and reports on the cannabis use in the capital and three patients were reported so far.

Of that, two are 17 and 25 years old male patients of Taksin Hospital who were suffering from heart palpitations, supposedly due to side effects of cannabis use. Another patient is a 16-year-old boy who is currently being treated in the ICU of Luang Pho Thaweesak Hospital after alleged heavy marijuana use. It was unclear if the boy had other health conditions, TPN adds.

PHOTO: สรยุทธ สุทัศนะจินดา – กรรมกรข่าว

Chadchart also added that the first alleged death from cannabis use was reported at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital. He was a 51-year-old man who was suffering from heart failure allegedly after consuming marijuana. Again, however, it was unclear if the man had other health conditions or underlying medical issues. These are the official numbers of cases reported after the plant legalization on June 9th, according to Chadchart.

The Governor raised concern over adding cannabis substances into food without proper labeling which could be dangerous for people with allergies and children. Therefore, the BMA may introduce a “Cannabis-free” school policy that is currently being drafted for the safety of students and children. This policy could possibly include regular testing.

TPN notes that since cannabis was decriminalized divisive points of view on regulating the plant have come from across the spectrum in Thailand.

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Nop Meechukhun
National News Writer at The Pattaya News from September 2020 to October, 2022. Born and raised in Bangkok, Nop enjoys telling stories of her hometown through her words and pictures. Her educational experience in the United States and her passion for journalism have shaped her genuine interests in society, politics, education, culture, and art.