"King of Cannabis" Becomes Thai Prime Minister
many Asian nations have strict anti-drug policies, Thailand is an exception
Anutin Charnvirakul, known as the "King of Cannabis," has played a crucial role in the legalization of cannabis in Thailand. He has recently been elected Prime Minister, despite his party not holding a majority in parliament.
Under the new cannabis law in Thailand, users are required to obtain a medical prescription. Following legalization in 2022 and the subsequent opening of numerous cannabis stores, the government has moved to rectify the situation, resulting in over 1,000 stores being forced to close.
However, the law may still change. Anutin Charnvirakul, formerly the Minister of Health, has been elected Prime Minister after the Constitutional Court impeached the previous Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, for ethics violations.
Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party secured 311 votes out of 492 in parliament, positioning him as Prime Minister despite his party coming in third in terms of the number of MPs. His election was achieved through negotiations with several other parties, notably the People's Party. The Bhumjaithai Party has a strong presence in the Isan region of northeast Thailand, which stands to benefit from cannabis legalization.
Who is Anutin Charnvirakul?
During the COVID-19 crisis, Charnvirakul served as the Minister of Health and was instrumental in the legalization and production of cannabis. In the 2023 parliamentary elections, he made a bold statement by appearing at the polling station in a shirt featuring a cannabis motif.
While many Asian countries maintain strict anti-drug policies, Thailand remains an exception.
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Liz Filmer
