This year Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalise growing and consumption of cannabis in food and drink. Immediately businesses began openly marketing marijuana products, which of course led to rapidly increased consumption of the drug. The rapid rise in cannabis sales has sparked concern.
Now, more than 1,200 doctors have issued a statement calling for the immediate suspension of decriminalisation of cannabis. The doctors are demanding adequate controls to protect the young. The statement was announced by the president of the Forensic Physicians Association of Thailand, Dr Smith Srisont.
According to the statement, “cannabis decriminalisation without adequate measures and policies for safe use led to the widespread recreational use of the drug and its access by young people, amid clear and considerable scientific evidence that cannabis has negative effects on the bodies and brains of the young.”
“The present situation is a real threat to the health system and public health, in both the short and long term,” the statement said.
The doctors urged the government to immediately suspend the policy until laws were in place to protect young people from cannabis abuse and ensure proper use of cannabis, to minimise its impact on the general public.
