Inspectors warn Khao San shops of stricter regulations over recreational marijiuana
The Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department (DTAM) joined hands with Phra Nakhon District Office and Chana Songkhram Police Station to inspect cannabis shops on Khao San Road.
DTAM’s director-general, Dr Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, on Tuesday led the inspection of cannabis shops on Khao San Road.
Thongchai said that he inspected five cannabis shops who had put up advertisements for recreational use. All shops had a licence but one store had got its licence from Lopburi province when it is supposed to have got the permission in Bangkok.
He said that the stores had made a room for customers to smoke cannabis. He clarified that the Public Health Ministry was not promoting cannabis for recreational use, so he asked the operators to run the businesses properly even though the department could not take legal action against them.
He explained that the “Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Regarding Controlled Herbs (Cannabis)” does not allow legal action against a store that opens a room for use of marijuana for recreation.
However, he will look into other related regulations because there is more than one law related to cannabis control.
Therefore, the department does not have permission to close any store immediately, but it could take legal action if it found the store violating other laws.
Thongchai added that operators, who would like to support cannabis legalisation for medical and economical reasons in the long term, excluding recreation, must follow the laws. He warned of more stringent regulation if they do not conform.
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