A network of doctors, academics and civil groups has published yet another open letter to oppose the government's decision to legalise cannabis.
In their seventh open letter, they called on the public to vote for parties which do not back the removal of cannabis from the list of narcotics and its promotion as a cash crop.
According to the open letter, there has been an increase in accidents and reports of adverse reactions to mental and physical health since the consumption of cannabis was liberalised last year.
The consumption and trade of cannabis were effectively legalised on June 9 last year, when the Bhumjaithai Party succeeded in having the plant removed from the list of Type 5 narcotics. The move meant most parts of the plant can be used, except parts of the plant containing more than 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by weight.
The letter noted that the medical use of cannabis had already been allowed since 2019, while the plant was still listed as a narcotic.
Cannabis' removal from the list of Type 5 narcotics meant the plant and its derivatives have become more easily accessible. But in the absence of a legal framework to control and monitor the production and use of cannabis, recreational use has soared, the letter said.
It also pointed out that if the Bhumjaithai Party wanted to promote cannabis as a cash crop, its legalisation should have been supervised by the Ministry of Commerce or the Ministry of Industry.
Instead, the Ministry of Public Health has become a cannabis promoter rather than a cannabis regulator, it said in the statement.
It concluded that people should reconsider voting for political parties who endorse cannabis legalisation in the upcoming election on May 14.
The open letter included a list of signatures of medical workers, academics from various fields and civil workers who support cannabis restrictions.
Notable names on the list include former senior Health Ministry official Chatree Banchuen, former Central Narcotics Control Office chief Niyom Termsrisuk and International Narcotics Control Board adviser Viroj Sumyai.
