The authorities in Phuket have taken action against illegal cannabis shops found operating without a licence. A total of 13 such businesses have been shut down in recent days with police now patrolling busy tourist areas to check on paperwork amidst unclear guidelines if they are actually able to operate at all.
According to Kusak Kukiattikoon, chief physician with the provincial public health office, Phuket has a total of 1,701 registered cannabis businesses. Of those, 1,451 are retail shops, with 502 in the Kathu district, 222 in the northern Thalang district, and the remainder in the main town area.
Kusak says that so far, his office has cancelled the licences of 250 shops found in violation of the Thai Traditional Medical Professions Act.
PPHO officials and other administrative offices continue to carry out random checks on a weekly basis, according to Kusak. He adds that local officials have been ordered to help businesses understand the laws and operating regulations governing cannabis.
Kusak says a cannabis dispensary found flouting the rules will have its licence suspended for 30 days, but repeated offences will result in the licence being revoked. In addition, anyone found selling cannabis without a licence to do so could face up to a year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 20,000 baht.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
