Cannabis Bill Receives Unfavourable Vote From Thai Lawmakers

Thai Lawmakers Reject ‘Cannabis Bill,’ Citing Unclear Provisions

The ”Cannabis and Hemp Bill” received an unfavourable vote in parliament after lawmakers in the House of Representatives raised concerns regarding the bill’s regulation of a wider use of weed.

It was sent back to the drafting committee for revision and the amended bill may be reintroduced in November. 

According to a report from the South China Morning Post on Sept. 15, the legislators voted 198-136, 12 abstained and one blank vote, against the cannabis bill. This was due to the lack of provisions in the bill to regulate the production, distribution, and abuse of marijuana.

The largest opposition party, Pheu Thai, and Democrat party, a member of the ruling coalition, voted against the bill. The parties concurred with the public’s sentiment about the proliferation of cafés and boutiques selling cannabis products across Bangkok and other cities just three months after the kingdom decriminalised the use of weed.

Pheu Tai’s Sutin Klangsang said the bill does not explicitly declare that recreational smoking is illegal, but rather mentions the prohibition of lighting up in public places only. They also objected to the clause that permits households to plant cannabis upon obtaining the necessary registration. Klangsang further expressed his concerns that more "children and people will smoke it and become addicted."

On the other hand, the Bhumjaithai Party has pointed out that the goal of the bill is to provide a “clear framework” in line with marijuana legalisation. Hence, Party Spokesperson Paradon Pritsananantakul emphasized that legislators can always amend the bill to eliminate any loopholes they find in it.

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