The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported that one alleged fatality for cannabis use was discovered and three patients, including a 16-year-old teenager, were treated at hospitals after the plant was decriminalized last Thursday, causing concern from the Bangkok Governor.
It was reported that the health reports were widely criticized on Thai and English language social media, with many people skeptical of the information.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated yesterday morning, June 14th, during the Bangkok Executive Committee Meeting, that the BMA’s departments of Medical Services, Public Health, and Education had been monitoring the situation and reports on cannabis use in the capital, and three patients had been reported so far.
Two of them are 17 and 25-year-old male Taksin Hospital patients who were experiencing heart palpitations, allegedly as a result of cannabis use. Another patient is a 16-year-old boy who is being treated in the Luang Pho Thaweesak Hospital ICU for alleged heavy marijuana use. I it was unclear if the boy had any other medical issues.
Chadchart also stated that the first alleged cannabis-related death was reported at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital. He was a 51-year-old man who allegedly developed heart failure after consuming marijuana. However, it was unclear whether the man had any other medical conditions or issues. According to Chadchart, these are the official numbers of cases reported following the plant’s legalization on June 9th.
The Governor expressed concern about the inclusion of cannabis substances in food without proper labeling, which could endanger people with allergies and children. As a result, the BMA may implement a “Cannabis-free” school policy, which is currently in the works for the safety of students and children. This policy might include regular testing.
Since cannabis was decriminalized, Thailand has seen a wide range of opinions on how to regulate the plant.
