‘Pattana’ responds to the People’s Party, affirming that there is no ‘neutral gear’ policy, highlighting a four-dimensional strategy to strictly control cannabis, and urges the opposition to collaborate in advancing a bill to close legal loopholes instead of political rhetoric.
On 8 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health, clarified the criticism by the leader of the People’s Party (PPP) who claimed that cannabis deregulation policies created legal loopholes and worsened drug problems. The Ministry firmly emphasizes that the government’s policy remains focused on ‘cannabis for medical and health purposes only’ and strongly opposes recreational use. The ministry has not been negligent as accused but has driven concrete controls through a four-pronged strategic approach:
1. Proactive measures: Cracking down on illicit shops using the Digital Health Ecosystem. The ministry has upgraded regulation of establishments via a digital system, incorporating a database of over 1,500 licensed shops online with GPS coordinates, enabling police and local authorities to promptly identify and raid unauthorized shops. To date, more than 6,000 licenses violating conditions have been revoked or denied renewal. Additionally, the ministry has fully adopted the E-License system, integrated with the Customs Department and Airports of Thailand (AOT) to firmly block smuggling and document forgery.
2. Protecting health and society: Accurate and stringent screening. Contrary to opposition claims that psychiatric patient numbers have risen due to cannabis, the increase reflects improved efficiency in the ministry’s comprehensive proactive monitoring and screening system, enabling early care for at-risk groups. Medical data show most patients have histories of polysubstance use. The Thai public health system is fully prepared with qualified personnel and treatment clinics.
3. Providing safe service systems: Strictly limiting access.
Claims that there is no age control law are “misinformation.” Currently, the Ministry of Public Health classifies cannabis as a “controlled herb,” strictly prohibiting sales to those under 20, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, banning street vending, automated dispensers, and smoking in public. Authorized shops must operate as medical facilities with doctors or health personnel overseeing drug dispensation to ensure safety standards.
4. Promoting and advancing legislation: Urgently passing a bill to close loopholes. The most sustainable tool for long-term problem-solving is the Cannabis and Hemp Act B.E. ..., which has passed public consultation. This law will comprehensively regulate from cultivation through distribution and impose significantly harsher criminal penalties on violators who misuse cannabis.
Mr. Pattana stated that the Ministry of Public Health bases its work on scientific data and consumer protection as core principles. Acknowledging societal concerns, he called on the People’s Party and all political parties in parliament to transform their worries into cooperation to review and advance the Cannabis Act bill to establish robust laws protecting the public rather than using public health issues as political weapons.