Cannabis Advocates Slam Medical Certificate Mandate for Users
Cannabis advocates are voicing strong opposition to a new Public Health Ministry proposal that would require users to present medical certificates, a move aimed at restricting cannabis use strictly to medical purposes.
The announcement by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has sparked widespread concern among supporters of cannabis for alternative treatments. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Somsak said all cannabis users, including foreigners, would soon need certified prescriptions from licensed medical professionals—either traditional Thai practitioners or general physicians.
“I will improve regulations on cannabis use in Thailand,” Mr Somsak stated, adding that the ministry aims to issue the new rules within 40 days.
Critics argue the proposed policy could be a major setback for patients and entrepreneurs alike. Daycha Siripatra, a traditional medicine practitioner and cannabis advocate, said the plan is out of touch with public sentiment.
“This policy is made without listening to people’s voices,” Mr Daycha told the Bangkok Post. “It will be a big barrier to people using cannabis as an alternative medical treatment.”
He warned that the ministry could face strong resistance from users and investors in the cannabis sector who feel blindsided by the change. “Those who invested heavily in the cannabis business will not keep silent,” he said.
Panthep Puapongpan, dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, echoed these concerns, pointing out that the policy is driven largely by modern medical practitioners who often refuse to prescribe cannabis, unlike traditional healers familiar with its benefits.
“Modern doctors lack confidence in cannabis’s efficacy,” he said, adding that some may even have conflicts of interest favoring conventional pharmaceuticals.
Mr Panthep also warned that excessive regulation could push patients toward illegal cannabis sources. He called on the ministry to engage with users who have experienced real benefits from the plant.
Dr Somlerk Jeungsmarn, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said the new framework would ensure that cannabis is used strictly for treating conditions such as seizures, headaches, pain, and insomnia. Medical certificates might limit prescriptions to a one-month supply, with usage beyond that potentially subject to legal action.
The debate highlights the ongoing confusion and regulatory uncertainty surrounding cannabis policy in Thailand since its decriminalization nearly three years ago. Many fear that the new rules could roll back progress made in alternative medicine and personal freedom.
