r/CannabisThailand Newsletter - Issue #65

Medicinal Mania

Oct 01, 2023

Sawadee Everyone,

Politics took a chill pill this week, but hold onto your hats, there’s more brewing.

A spicy debate sprouted in the subreddit: is covering Thai cannabis stories in the media a friend or foe to the leafy cause?

Most foreigners are peeking into Thailand through English windows like The Bangkok Post, The Nation, and The Thaiger, to name a few. But believe it or not, there’s a whole universe of Thai media, spilling way more tea. And a lot of it portrays cannabis in a negative light.

Now, the credibility of some of these outlets? Comparable to your local Thai auntie’s latest neighborhood gossip fest. Yet, this is the ‘news’ that’s buzzing in Thai folks' ears and getting jazzed up on social media like a game of broken telephone.

I suspect this 'news' blizzard is why everyone’s fussing over the phrase “medicinal use.” Politicos are flinging it like confetti.

Loads of these fiery articles on the 'dangers' of the green demon laser-focus on its recreational escapades. Usually painting a tale of a young Thai mixing multiple legal and illegal substances up in a cocktail of bad decisions and then doing something silly.

Their spin? “See what happens with recreational usage?”

Western thinkers may raise an eyebrow and say, "Wasn't it the alcohol or some other substance?" Or, "If alcohol's on the menu, why not cannabis, since it's far less dangerous?"

But ah! They're missing a beat. Some of these green detractors aren’t just anti-weed, they'd get rid of booze if they had their way too. They’re prohibitionists.

For politicians, uttering anything beyond “medicinal use” right now is akin to stepping on a political landmine.

That’s why Anutin and his Bhumjaithai Party pals are echoing the PM’s medicinal mantra in perfect harmony.

But what's in the word "medicinal"? Is it the golden ticket of a medical marijuana card? Or are we time traveling to 2021 where tiny clinics peddle questionable THC oil for an ungodly sum?

The silver lining? The government’s mulling over how many personal plants is too many. That tells me they probably won't swing the pendulum too wildly if allowing people to grow for personal use is still on the table.

So, next time “medicinal use” echoes around, maybe hold off on the panic button till we get a peek at that new cannabis script.

However, we also need to keep an eye on what the other side is saying. If one doesn’t understand why so many Thai people oppose legalization, it’s kinda hard to address their concerns or provide education.

Cheers,

u/CannabisThailandMod

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