Pandora's box
Re: "Cannabis users in Thailand will need medical certificates", (BP, May 21).
While I applaud the public health minister's general idea to restrict cannabis use to only medical cases, I would remind BP readers that I shared my opinion in the PostBag years ago, warning that the policy would lead to problems.
The problem I see with the proposed plan pertains to "traditional medicine doctors" certified by the Ministry of Public Health who will prescribe the herb. It is very likely that foreign users will flock to those doctors versus mainstream doctors like mine at an international hospital.
This is because it is likely that general physicians will prescribe Zolpiderm for sleep, CGRP blockers for migraines, well-established non-cannabis pain medications for chronic pain, and anti-epileptic drugs for seizures; having little recreational value and high costs.
What a Pandora's box indeed.
Bitcoin blues
Re: "SEC looks into Coinbase user numbers", (Business, May 17).
Bitcoin has again passed US$100,000 (3.3 million baht), but is it worth a single cent?
As I learn more about the value of Bitcoin, I see favourable predictions for its future, but I still can't use it to pay for the coffee I am slowly drinking.
News articles often contain warnings about the volatility of cryptocurrency in general, but don't place too much emphasis on it being just a piece of fiction, a computer algorithm pulling in so many hopeful followers.
Like most retired baby boomers, I have some money available to invest, but am more likely to put that into the stock market, another often volatile investment, but one based on companies that make or lose real currencies. I also pay for proper financial advice, and Bitcoin has never been suggested.
It might be the grumpiness of old age, but I am not going near cryptocurrencies out of common sense and fear, and only laugh at the idea of paying for a meme, including those from President Trump.
It's like a balloon. It doesn't matter whether it's a big or small balloon, apart from appearances, as it's still just full of hot air.
Prayer for Ukraine
Re: "Can Ukraine survive Trump presidency?", (Opinion, May 21).
Like usual, I find the commentary by Gwynne Dyer very informative, but here I would like to reduce the time frame ... to within the next 1.5 years because I do not believe Mr Trump will still have a majority in both Houses after the midterm elections.
Good, bad and ugly
Re: "'LGBTQ+ surprises" & "InQuote on Senators'", (Opinion, May 20).
Who said the Bangkok Post is one-sided? Just look at the letter writers: An elderly gay man who blasts LGBTQ activities and reveals their bad elements; Eric Bahrt, who is openly Jewish, and who often criticises Israel for its Palestinian attacks; and Sen Nantana Nantavaropas, who highlights the shameful offences of a group of Thai senators now subject to a criminal investigation on vote-rigging.
Meanwhile, Michael Setter, a Trump supporter and anti-vaxxer who is cool on climate change, appears to have educated all of us daily.