Bill to Reform Thailand’s Marijuana Laws Passes First Reading by a Landslide

 

BANGKOK – A new narcotics law to decriminalize drug users and to legalize the controlled use of kratom and marijuana passed first reading at the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday.

The NLA passed by a landslide vote the three narcotics control policy bills, which are an effort by authorities to reform official drug policies and tackle the problem of overcrowded prisons.

Academics praised the new laws as heading in the right direction for drug reform, but cautioned that there remained the need for clear regulations to help prevent drug abuse and segregate drug users from drug dealers.

Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prachin Chantong said that the three bills will later be merged into a single law regulating various aspects of drug issues. The final bill will aim to legalise a limited use of narcotics for medical, science and industrial purposes, while enhancing the rehabilitation of drug users and limiting the spread of drug abuse in society.

By Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation