Decriminalization of Drugs: A Case of Medical Uses of Cannabis

Abstract

Cannabis is a traditional plant that was mentioned in the Ayutthaya court’s traditional medical texts till traceable in the historical records of this period. In later times cannabis was designated as an illegal drug, whose use was punishable under the law in many countries, (including Thailand). The reason for the prohibition of cannabis is that it contains psychotropic substances, which can be used in combination with other substances to produce narcotics or other dangerous drugs causing many harmful effects. Thailand’s policy of strict narcotics prohibition and suppression has completely precluded the use of cannabis for medical treatment and research, whereas many other countries in the world have recognized the medical value of cannabis and successfully adopted decriminalization measures for the use of cannabis. In Thailand, the use of cannabis still remains completely prohibited. This article aims to point out the problems arising from the country’s too rigid legal measures, which are no longer suited to the current situation. It urges an amendment of the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 and further suggests that the decriminalization of the use of cannabis for medical purposes be adopted.