A doctor and a number of opposition MPs have filed a lawsuit against Thailand’s health minister over the decriminalisation of marijuana earlier this year. The Central Administrative Court has accepted the lawsuit brought by Smith Srisont, president of the Forensic Physician Association of Thailand, and a member of the Medical Council.
The other factions named as co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit are opposition MPs from the Pheu Thai, Parchachart, Move Forward, Seri Ruam Thai, and Palang Puangchon Chao Thai political parties. They include Sutin Klungsang from Pheu Thai, Tawee Sodsong, secretary-general of the Parchachart Party, Nattawut Buaprathum from Move Forward, Varit Varotsirin, deputy leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, and Nikhom Boonvises, leader of the Palang Puangchon Chao Thai Party.
It’s understood both Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Narcotics Control Board are named as co-defendants in the lawsuit. The suit seeks to cancel a February 8, 2022 directive issued by the Public Health Ministry that removed marijuana from the list of Category 5 narcotics.
The directive was the result of a 2019 election promise made by Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, to decriminalise marijuana. It went into effect in September, prompting several doctors to voice concern over a potential increase in marijuana use among young people.
The case against Anutin and the NCB has been accepted by the Central Administrative Court, with a panel of judges set to deliberate on it.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
