Oregon and Thailand are both re-criminalizing previously decriminalized substances, but their approaches and motivations differ. In Oregon, the decision to re-criminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs, including heroin, follows concerns over the fentanyl crisis and rising overdose rates. The 2020 decriminalization measure aimed to shift individuals toward treatment rather than jail, but delays in funding addiction services and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic hindered its success. The new law reclassifies personal drug possession as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, and allows counties to create deflection programs directing individuals toward treatment instead of criminal penalties. However, the lack of a statewide mandate has led to uneven implementation, with concerns over whether there are enough treatment services available to meet demand.
In Thailand, the government is reversing its 2022 cannabis legalization due to growing public health and safety concerns. Initially seen as an economic opportunity for rural farmers, legalization led to a surge in cannabis use, particularly among young people, raising alarms about its impact on mental health, road safety, and children’s development. A Thailand criminal lawyer might argue that the sudden reversal puts many cannabis entrepreneurs in a legal gray area. Political pressure to address drug problems, especially methamphetamine, has pushed lawmakers to propose a full ban on recreational cannabis use, though medical use will still be permitted. Businesses in the cannabis industry face uncertainty as details of the re-criminalization plan remain unclear. While public health concerns drive the policy change, the economic fallout for entrepreneurs and farmers is significant.
Both regions are navigating the balance between public health and legal enforcement. Oregon’s shift focuses on curbing overdoses while expanding treatment options, whereas Thailand’s reversal targets public safety and health risks related to rising cannabis use.
Photo Credit: Cannabis Urlaub
