News Forum - Thailand’s former PM Thaksin compares marijuana to opium

[Thaiger]

Thailand’s former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is the latest to weigh in on the “happy plant”. In a video address to Thais last night, Thaksin compared marijuana to opium, warning that people need “proper science and education”. He said that when opium first came on the scene, it also had many properties that people used it for, however, it was used recreationally and abused. The former PM went on to say that when he was in police training, he had friends who used marijuana, leading to scary situations. He said he feared that one friend would jump off a high building […]

The story Thailand’s former PM Thaksin compares marijuana to opium as seen on Thaiger News.

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[Shade_Wilder]

 

Sorry Mr T, you are not on the correct side of this issue, although you are a bit close.

"In a video address to Thais last night, Thaksin compared marijuana to opium, warning that people need “proper science and education”. He said that when opium first came on the scene, it also had many properties that people used it for, however, it was used recreationally and abused."

I fully agree that the Thai people need "Science and Education"; the legalization of weed will have an impact on Thai society, and the government should mount a Public Education campaign; to be honest, they should have do so BEFORE June 9th, but...

Moreover, weed is going to be used recreationally by millions of Thais and many, many foreigners; I wish these people would stop pretending it won't be. It would be a far, far better thing to Educate, Regulate and Tax than simply say "Okay, no  more penalties". Other jurisdictions have effectively incorporated weed into their societies/economies; Thailand has many role models/examples to choose from.

"He said he feared that one friend would jump off a high building while intoxicated."

No, your friend wasn't going to jump off a building because of weed; that is hyperbolic nonsense.

"Thaksin urged the public to know what it was getting into when it comes to marijuana, saying that it has addictive qualities."

No, weed isn't addictive. A small number of people are bound to abuse it, but that is similar to alcohol, and any society that permits alcohol should also permit weed. In all honesty, it is LESS harmful and if either were going to be banned, I'd ban booze as it does far more  damage.

Thailand is doing this Back-Assward.

It would be a far, far better thing to enact proper legislation, create a workable regulatory framework for medical and recreational use, and then give governmental assistance to start-up companies.

Simply put, if the Kingdom can create a favorable legal environment, create a tailor-made regulatory framework which plays to it's strengths, AND have a giant head-start in growing, processing, marketing and selling ALL forms of weed, it is virtually guaranteed that Thailand will have several multi-BILLION dollar companies by the end of the decade.

An Asian country is going to make a killing off of weed; Thailand, if it isn't you, you'll truly hate yourself for giving up all the advantages and cash.

 

[Fanta]

4 minutes ago, Shade_Wilder said:

it is virtually guaranteed that Thailand will have several multi-BILLION dollar companies by the end of the decade.

Using that logic Holland should have several multi billion companies already. 

[Shade_Wilder]

The US (parts thereof) and Canada recently legalized.

"Here Are the 10 Biggest U.S. Cannabis Companies. The data estimates that the U.S. cannabis market will reach $28 billion in sales by 2022."

https://realmoney.thestreet.com/investing/cannabis/here-are-the-10-biggest-u-s-cannabis-companies-15638716

Asia has a lot more potential recreational and medicinal customers; you do the math.

 

[TheDirtyDurian]

I used to do quite a bit of opium back in the day. They're not similar!

[HolyCowCm]

And this is now a new reason this crackpot needs to be banned to stay away from this country. either that is when he can return, he and his party will have to have a certain something like a gag order or like an NDA on certain subjects.

[SteveH]

Wow, thethaiget.com must be struggling if it feels it needs a comment from the dodgy Thaksin on anything !! It just shows how bias this organisation is……..Steer well clear of him and his family if you want an unbiased and worthy educated view on anything related to Thailand. 
Nepotism and Corruption are the only phrases that they can convey to anyone with any authority.  

[Fanta]

5 hours ago, Shade_Wilder said:

Asia has a lot more potential recreational and medicinal customers; you do the math

OK. Asia does not have Thailand’s marijuana laws so Thailand is Thailand. 

US & Canada - population 370 million/$28 billion = $67 per person

Thailand-  44 million X $67 = $3.3 billion 

Not several multi billion dollars companies before we account for reduced prices, less mature market, lack of Asian sales outlets and that smoking the herb is still illegal throughout Asia. It does look promising though. Thanks for the info. 

[Venusianhart]

Khun Taksin/Tony has a point, clean and measured doses of opium will never kill you, and any amount of weed will also never kill you. 

However, Tony Woodsome (LoL where did he get that handle from, Pornhub?) Could quite possibly at one point in history arrange it so someone else gets to kill you. 

Allow me to explain.

Taksin is the guy that inspired Duterte.

Ex cop Taksin Shinawatra/Tony Woodsome got wood thinking about the idea of street-executing his way out of Thailand's drug problem as PM in the naughty 90s.

End result, every mobster in or out of uniform started just shooting their rivals dead. It would, could and did happen anytime anywhere, there was no need to plant any "evidence", as happens in Manila, it was just assumed an undercover police hit squad had done the "right thing" Dirty Harry style.

At its frenzied peak, goons were popping rivals off at red lights on motorcycles with civilians just metres from the gun violence. By the time the cop brass got control of the situation, some 2000 victims, give or take had been killed, some victims were indeed known to police, but many not.

Not a single alleged assassin was ever prosecuted.

Thailand's illegal drug trade went on a roll unabated to the boom times of today where tonnes (worth tens of millions on western streets) are regularly seized, and much more is not. 

It's one of the drug wars most legendary cock-ups in the annals of many spectacular fails worldwide that are not widely advertised, naturally. Such as wiping out thousands of square miles of irreplaceable Colombian rainforest to stop Coca farming, and the cartels simply shifted to Peru!

Anyway, in essence, the streets of Thailand became lawless overnight at the behest of this PMs gunslinger decree.

These days Khun T. pines for Thailand dreadfully in the sandpit, and knowing both places first hand, I can see why, and the agony must be manifold for him, as a privileged and still widely feted Thai citizen.

Many forgotten and nameless bereaved might wish he never again returns from his self-imposed desert prison.

Edited June 22, 2022 by Venusianhart

[Venusianhart]

7 hours ago, Fanta said:

Using that logic Holland should have several multi billion companies already. 

Complete ignorance of how weed is/was legislated in the Netherlands in that retort, and in any case Thailand is now at the right time, with the climate, geography and place in history to act. Whereas The Netherlands has already committed every inch of it's arable land and agriculture industry to growing flowers and other lucrative consumables, and see no need to switch, because they'd have to fix a very profitable something that isn't broken.  

[dbrenn]

How's legalisation going in the US? Have people's lives improved?

[Huckster]

10 hours ago, Fanta said:

Using that logic Holland should have several multi billion companies already. 

It's not legal in Holland, and it have never been legal.
It's 'tolerated', you can buy it, but nobody can grow it (so coffeshops have to buy stock illegal).

 

[TheDirtyDurian]

3 hours ago, dbrenn said:

How's legalisation going in the US? Have people's lives improved?

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-marijuana-tax-revenue-nears-4-billion-but-growth-has-stalled-state-analysts-say/

$300m tax revenue in the first quarter of 2022 in California alone....

Should go some way towards improving people's lives....

 

[samiam123]

5 hours ago, dbrenn said:

How's legalisation going in the US? Have people's lives improved?

I don't know about the US but Canada is making billions on taxes from it.  That is going to help one way or another sooner or later but it's impossible to quantify.

One thing it has done is killed most of the black market, so that's definitely a good thing.  You don't hear of problems with rental housing being ruined because of a grow ops being run in the basement, which causes insurance problems among other things. 

You don't hear of big marijuana busts at the border anymroe.  What used to happen in the past was that Canadian weed would go down to the US and they would bring back a load of cocaine as payment. 

You can connect the dots and start seeing all kinds of benefits.  They play PSA commercials on TV warning of the dangers of pot.  Supposedly teen use is down in the US and Canada.  Cops don't have to waste time going after pot dealers and can use their time chasing real criminals now.

Edited June 22, 2022 by samiam123

[Skip]

18 hours ago, Fanta said:

Using that logic Holland should have several multi billion companies already. 

Small market and small marketing effort... so no

[Skip]

10 hours ago, dbrenn said:

How's legalisation going in the US? Have people's lives improved?

Mine did... I could sleep pain free all night... neuropathy is not pleasant

[Fanta]

46 minutes ago, Skip said:

Small market and small marketing effort... so no

TIL: in the Netherlands only 1 company is licensed to grow marijuana and that product goes into the medicinal oils etc. All the herb superb in the coffee shops etc is “illegally” grown. 
https://www.government.nl/topics/drugs/am-i-committing-a-criminal-offence-if-i-possess-produce-or-deal-in-drugs

[TWS60]

Never mind the Messenger, I rather like that he's not wringing his hands like an emotional alarmist, or shouting it down from the pulpit like a wild-eyed preacher. 

He's admitting he tried it - apparently an edible so he didn't inhale - and then gives his personal account of that, and observations of others; although clearly self-selects a negative sounding story where he "thought" his mate high on weed "might" jump off a roof.  I give him a partial pass because he's an older bloke from the Reefer Madness generation.

Apart from that, sounds like he's made peace and is basically saying "educate yourself" about it first.  I've got no quarrel with that.

Never tried Opium but have gotten the impression there was a populist theme among common folk espousing its magical qualities and health benefits back in the day, like the modern-day Marijuana enthusiasts, espousing its magical qualities and medical benefits, backed by their imaginary internet degrees from Youtube University.  Yeah, ok boys, we get it. You're rooting for legal weed so you can get stoned.  Just leave it at that, m-kay?  LOL.

In my experience, disagree MJ is physically addictive, rather, and like any number of things, it can be psychologically addictive / habit forming.  I'd woven it into my nightly routine for 3-years straight but when I went traveling without it, 1 to 2 months, wasn't a problem.  Unlike a few of my mates who rattle and shake like a snare drum if they don't get a beer down their neck by 1500, and/or a cigarette.

What I did get was the predictable tolerance, and I recognized that incremental factor as it was happening - a "Note to Self" moment.   Eventually got tired and bored with being a happy, totally relaxed Zombie every night, and I was getting fat from the dreaded Munchies.  So that was the end of it for me.  Not a born-again snob about it though.  If presented a one-off opportunity in the right circumstance, I would partake, but won't return to an every night habit again. 

[TWS60]

10 hours ago, samiam123 said:

I don't know about the US but Canada is making billions on taxes from it.  That is going to help one way or another sooner or later but it's impossible to quantify.

One thing it has done is killed most of the black market, so that's definitely a good thing.  //Snip //

 

Interesting you mention killing the black market.  By chance, watched an amateur investigative piece about the migrant camps on the Mexican side of the border/Tijuana.  The nervous, ex-DEA guide giving the tour made a comment that caught my ear, saying the 'really good' imported weed from California had become a sought after product down there.  Amusing irony that weed is flowing in the other direction. 

Imagine teens growing up SoCal are spoiled rotten with the buffet of legal designer buds these days, compared to the dusty old Mexican rag weed we used to get from an adult misfit in a dodgy apartment block, worried about Nancy "Just Say No" Reagan fast-roping down from a black helicopter at any moment.

Edited June 23, 2022 by TWS60