The new law will ban the recreational use of marijuana.

Bangkok:

Thailand’s health minister said on Tuesday that the Thai government will urgently introduce a bill to ban the recreational use of marijuana after Thailand legalizes it in 2022.

In June 2022, cannabis was removed from the list of banned narcotics under the previous government, which included the pro-legalization Bhumjaithai Party.

The move has prompted hundreds of cannabis dispensaries to pop up across the country, particularly in Bangkok, and has alarmed critics who have urged the need for stricter legislation.

On Tuesday, the Saudi health minister said a new bill banning the recreational use of marijuana will be submitted to a cabinet meeting next week.

“The new bill will amend the existing bill to only allow the use of cannabis for health and medical purposes,” Chonlanan Srikaew told reporters.

“Use for entertainment is considered wrong.”

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who took office last August, has frequently expressed opposition to the drug’s recreational use and said it should only be used for medicinal purposes.

Audiences at a Bangkok concert by British rock band Coldplay over the weekend complained on social media that “the whole concert smelled like weed,” sparking new pressure from the public.

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