Thailand to Legalize Kratom in June
Kratom will soon be removed from Thailand’s list of controlled narcotics, according to Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin.
Under Thailand’s current drug laws, kratom is classified as a Schedule V narcotic, meaning possession or consumption can result in up to five years imprisonment.
Kratom, an indigenous plant in Thailand, has mind-altering effects when consumed.
In small doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, while in larger doses it interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain to produce feelings of sedation, pleasure, and decreased pain.
Somsak hopes that by decriminalizing kratom, Thailand can unlock its medical and economic benefits.
Kratom has long been used as a traditional medicine in Thailand to treat a variety of conditions such as pain, diarrhea, cough, depression, and anxiety.
It has also been claimed to be effective at reducing the symptoms related to opiate withdrawals.
However, the scientific community remains skeptical as kratoms medicinal benefits even though they admit the drug is largely safe to use.
Somsak also hopes that by removing kratom from the list of controlled substances in Thailand, the government will save money and time currently being wasted through law enforcement efforts against the drug.
There were over 50,000 kratom cases between January and October alone in 2019, costing the government around 20,000 baht per case.
Somsak believes the Thai government can save up to a billion baht per year by legalizing kratom.
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Related: Summary of Thailand’s Medical Cannabis Bill
Related: Thailand Decriminalizes CBD
