BANGKOK, June 25, 2025 – Thai Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has come under fire for rejecting the proposed Cannabis Control Bill, with critics alleging his motives are driven by political vendettas and vested business interests rather than factual evidence. The controversial proposal to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic has sparked heated debate, with accusations that the move is designed to monopolize the lucrative cannabis industry, valued at tens of billions of baht annually.
Somsak has argued that reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic would curb its misuse, particularly among youth, claiming it would resolve issues associated with its widespread availability. However, critics have dismissed his justification, particularly the claim that cannabis use among Thai youth has surged tenfold. “This statistic is fabricated,” said an outspoken critic, Prasitchai Nunal, of a major pro cannabis network, challenging government agencies to prove the data’s validity in court. The critic argued that the data is skewed, equating a single instance of cannabis use years ago to habitual use, akin to labeling someone who tried a glass of beer once as an alcoholic.
The Cannabis Control Bill, drafted during the tenure of former Health Minister Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, was shelved after Somsak assumed his role. Instead of advancing the bill, which aims to regulate the industry while balancing its benefits and risks, Somsak announced plans to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic. Critics allege this move is intended to restrict cannabis cultivation and production to a select group of large-scale investors, including those allegedly linked to Somsak and members of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
“The cannabis industry is worth billions,” the critic noted. “The best way to monopolize it is through legislation.” The recent ministerial announcement is seen as a step toward consolidating control over the industry, sidelining small-scale growers, processors, and users. This, critics warn, could drive the industry underground, fostering illegal markets and exacerbating related problems.
Somsak’s claim that there was insufficient time to develop the Cannabis Control Bill has also drawn scrutiny. Critics point out that the Pheu Thai Party has controlled the Health Ministry for over two years, questioning why the bill was not prioritized.
Further fueling controversy, critics suggest that Somsak’s push to reclassify cannabis is motivated by a desire to undermine the Bhumjaithai Party, which has championed cannabis liberalization. Bhumjaithai recently left the government coalition and became part of the opposition. “This is as much about political revenge as it is about controlling a billion-baht industry,” the critic claimed.
Advocates for the Cannabis Control Bill argue it would bring transparency and regulation to the industry, allowing stakeholders to operate legally while addressing potential downsides and complaints like people smoking in public and the smell. In contrast, Somsak’s approach, they warn, risks alienating legitimate players and fostering a black market.
“When will Thai politicians base policies on facts rather than politics?” the critic lamented, calling for a more evidence-based approach to cannabis regulation. As the debate rages on, the future of Thailand’s cannabis industry hangs in the balance, with far-reaching implications for growers, businesses, and users alike.
