In Thailand, the palpable unease is hard to ignore as cannabis advocates take to the streets, waving placards and fervently voicing their concerns over the government’s proposed legislation that threatens to roll back cannabis decriminalization. Since 2022, small growers and entrepreneurs have enjoyed a burgeoning market, boosting local economies and fostering creative niches within the industry. But now, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin’s plan to limit cannabis usage strictly to medical fields has stoked fears of economic ruin. Critics argue this move will not only monopolize the market into the hands of big firms, but also hamper advancements in medical cannabis that have provided hope and relief to many. The cannabis conundrum highlights a larger tension, balancing between economic opportunities, public safety, and diverse political interests against a backdrop of evolving global perspectives on the herb. Meanwhile, in an intriguing political subplot, Thailand’s government finds itself compelled to shelve a…