Is it the end of Thailand’s weed wonderland?

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Three years after decriminalising marijuana and unleashing a raucous weed business, Thailand is now trying to put the genie back in the bottle.

New regulations introduced by the health ministry now require a doctor’s prescription to buy cannabis products, and for every dispensary to become a registered clinic with a trained medic in attendance.
Campaigners in favour of liberalisation complain that this will force many smaller growers and sellers to close down, leaving the industry in the hands of big business. But the Thai government argues that the industry is out of control, with too many growers and sellers depressing prices and encouraging smuggling to other countries.
The FCCT is inviting Tom Kruesopon, the businessman who played a central role in decriminalising marijuana, but who now supports the government’s efforts to regulate it, to debate with Kitty Chopaka, perhaps the best-known campaigner for liberalisation, who believes this is the wrong way to deal with problems in the industry.
Moderator, Jonathan Head, FCCT board member and BBC Southeast Asia correspondent
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Photo credit: BBC