Members of the public, business operators and other relevant individuals are invited to voice their opinions on the direction of Thailand’s cannabis and hemp industry and legislation through online submissions until July 1 via the government’s legal channel "law.go.th" website and the DTAM website, said Dr Thewan Thanirat, deputy director-general of the DTAM.
The draft would establish clear rules and control measures to prevent the misuse of cannabis. Such mechanisms would not only strengthen public health security but also support sustainable economic development, reports the Bangkok Post.
The public hearing process is expected to help strike a balance among medical use, economic opportunities, and the protection of public health, while reducing conflicts and strengthening public confidence.
Dr Thewan said the process has been divided into two phases in line with a Cabinet resolution passed on Mar 10.
The first phase, held from Apr 22 to May 21, focused on gathering opinions on the draft act’s overall principles and has already been completed. The second phase, running from June 2 to July 1, seeks public feedback on the draft’s provisions.
Once the process is completed, the draft bill is expected to be reviewed and approved by the Public Health Minister before being submitted to the cabinet for further consideration.
Dr Thewan said the issue of reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic falls under other government agencies.