The drafting of the new cannabis and hemp control bill is still not complete and it has not yet been forwarded to the cabinet for approval, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said on Wednesday.
Dr Cholnan said what he earlier forwarded to the cabinet was the ministry's views on the bill and on cannabis, after MPs sent a letter to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin saying it was financial legislation. The prime minister's secretariat then asked the ministry for its views.
He said the drafting of the cannabis legislation was expected to be finished next week.
He was speaking after advocates of cannabis legalisation criticised his decision to endorse the draft bill without consulting the civil sector, as he had earlier promised.
Dr Cholnan was firm in his belief that cannabis should be used only for medical purposes, as the prime minister said in his policy statement to parliament. The legislation was being drafted to support this principle.
Cannabis extracts that contained more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) would be classed as a narcotic, Dr Cholnan said.
Existing cannabis shops were allowed to open as they were granted permission to operate as business establishments, he said. The planned bill would focus on controlling misuse of cannabis.
Sa-nga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, said cannabis was one reason foreign tourists chose to visit Khao San Road, in order to experience the taste, because Thailand was the only country in Asia where cannabis was not listed as an illegal drug.
Cannabis shops on Khao San Road could generate 20-30 million baht in revenue a month, Mr Sa-nga said.
“Khao San Road is considered a top 10 tourist destination in Thailand, one that foreign tourists should not miss. Aside from its entertainment venues and restaurants, cannabis is another draw card," Mr Sa-nga said. If cannabis was restricted to medical use only, it would greatly affect cannabis shops in tourist areas.
He said the government should declare zones for cannabis, such as tourist areas.
