Authorities seize cannabis edibles producer following child's intoxication incident
In the Khlong Sam Wa district of Bangkok, police recently raided an illegal cannabis edibles operation. The three-storey house, located in tambon Bang Chan, was found to contain spaces for cultivating cannabis plants and producing dried cannabis flowers, as well as bathrooms used for preparing and experimenting with recipes for cannabis jellies and cookies.
The incident came to light following a report about a two-year-old girl who had consumed jelly suspected to contain cannabis, resulting in her requiring hospitalisation and a subsequent medical diagnosis confirming cannabis intoxication and an altered state of consciousness.
During the raid, police arrested one man, identified as Sutthiphon, aged 22, who was responsible for cultivating and maintaining the cannabis plants. The seized products included 230 cannabis-infused jellies, 162 cannabis-infused cookies, 3.5kg of dried cannabis flowers, and 54 cannabis plants.
The operation was unlicensed and did not meet health and safety standards, and if any other controlled substances are detected, further charges will be filed accordingly. The seized products will be sent to the Department of Medical Sciences for further analysis.
Sutthiphon has been charged with offences under the Food Act and the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act. Under the Food Act of 1979, producing and selling cannabis edibles without proper licensing or with incorrect labeling can result in a minimum fine of 30,000 baht. If the products are found to be adulterated with drugs or harmful contaminants, penalties can escalate to imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or a fine of at least 20,000 baht.
Under the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act of 1999, selling controlled herbs like cannabis without permission can lead to imprisonment for up to 1 year, and/or a fine up to 20,000 baht. These laws reflect efforts to control health risks and regulate cannabis commerce following Thailand's partial decriminalization of cannabis, especially after incidents involving unregulated homemade edibles caused health concerns.
No further information was provided about the current status of the investigation or the child's condition.
The raid in the Khlong Sam Wa district uncovered an unlicensed cannabis edibles operation, producing products like jellies and cookies, that flout health-and-wellness standards. The arrest of Sutthiphon, responsible for cultivating cannabis plants, led to the seizure of cannabis-related items, including 230 jellies, 162 cookies, 3.5kg of dried cannabis flowers, and 54 cannabis plants. Sutthiphon faces charges under the Food Act and the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act. These charges highlight the importance of regulating food-and-drink and mental-health related substances, such as cannabis, to ensure general-news surrounding health-and-wellness remains positive, and criminal elements like crime-and-justice are kept at bay in the lifestyle domain.
