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Critics have slammed the government's plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, arguing it will harm businesses involved in cannabis-based products and undermine investor confidence in the country. A health committee responsible for controlling illegal drugs voted by majority on July 5 to reclassify cannabis and hemp as narcotics, effective from Jan 1, 2025, as confirmed by Surachoke Tangwiwat, deputy permanent secretary for public health. The committee will submit its report to the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) for consideration this month.

The panel's resolution said cannabis and hemp are to be considered narcotic plants, except for their branches, roots, and seeds. Cannabis buds and any materials containing more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will also be classified as narcotics.



If the NCB agrees with the decision, the next step will be for the Food and Drug Administration to amend any cannabis-related laws and establish criteria for the plants' usage, according to Dr Surachoke. Various laws will have to be amended before Jan 1. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed the Public Health Ministry to revise a ministerial regulation to reclassify cannabis under the Category 5 Narcotics list and issue a regulation to restrict the plant's use solely for medical purposes by the year's end.

Investors losing confidence Hirunrat Mahaditthadakul, the secretary of the Hemp and Cannabis Industries Association, told the Bangkok Post the government's reversal on the previo.

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