Cannabis Crunch: Thailand's Sudden Reversal on Marijuana Legalization

Bad at what? Typically when a compound is considered a "drug" it's - by definition - because it has an effect on the body/mind.

Like the old joke says: why do people use drugs? Because they work!

If I take an ibuprofen and it doesn't diminish my headache, then I'd consider it "bad". If I am nauseous or insomniac and take a capsule containing cannabinoids which settles my stomach or relaxes me to sleep, then I'd consider it "good".

What I imagine you're saying is that "ingesting drugs for some things is good, but ingesting them to relax, wake up, or otherwise feel differently than you currently do is bad".

I don't think anything in life is that simple.

In Thailand, it's because of crime/corruption.

When weed was illegal, it was sold under the purview of local cops * and military. It's the same reason why prostitution and gambling are still illegal in Thailand - if both industries were legalized, then local military and police would lose a major cash cow.

That's why all Muay Thai matches in Thailand happen at stadiums owned by the Thai Military, all enforcement of prostitution and drugs falls under the military and interior security, and Thailand has their conscripts do menial bullshit labor instead of professional soldiering.

In addition, the culture in TH is also much more conservative. Once you leave expat world, you have extremely socially conservative norms comparable to South Korea.

* Don't blame beat cops alone though. They have to pay for their uniform, gun, gas, etc out of pocket, and they need to pay a bribe to even get the job in TH.

"New Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew has announced that cannabis extracts containing more than 0.2 percent of the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, will be classified as narcotics."

Seems like a reasonable idea to realize that ultra processed MJ is more harmful.

They mentioned extracts, so I'm imagining oil or powder in this scenario (also smoke is bad for you). 2.5G of oil or powder isn't a lot at all. The term "gram bag" is used for powder.