Has drug reform gone to pot?

Legal action against a prominent rice expert and biodiversity advocate for possessing marijuana plants and extracts raises questions as to whether the country is serious about drug reform. Or is it just hypocrisy?

A combined force comprising police, anti-narcotics and local officials on April 3 raided the Suphan Buri-based Khaokwan Foundation which was set up and operated by Daycha Siripatra. The crackdown was a shock.

The officials said they found more than 200 marijuana plants as well as oil extracted from the plants, which are used for medical purposes. All the plants, bottled extracts and devices were seized, and a foundation member was reportedly detained for 72 hours.

Mr Daycha was on a trip to Laos when the combined forces stormed the foundation vicinity. Local media reported the activist has acknowledged the charges.

Mr Daycha has been known among his circle for experimenting in the use of marijuana for medical purposes for nearly two decades.

He first tried the formula on himself until he was certain that it worked, either for improving the condition of the sick or easing chronic suffering.

His foundation is known to have distributed a plant or two as well as the extracts to people with serious diseases including cancer, Parkinson's disease and others.

It is an open secret that the foundation welcomes people, mostly those who are in a terminal stage of illness and who have been rejected by mainstream public health establishments.

Some extracted oil has been provided to temples that offer traditional treatment for sick people. The activities are not-for-profit. The foundation also organises workshops on marijuana and treatments.

Before his interest in medical marijuana, Mr Daycha was a heavyweight in biodiversity and organic farming who hoped to liberate farmers from the agro industry, while offering an alternative for consumers, so they have chemical-free products.

His relations with state officials have been difficult given the tendency of authorities to promote conventional farming.

His campaign occasionally put him at odds with government officials, especially when the state -- the Agriculture Department -- wanted to embrace genetically-modified (GM) farming.

This may explain why the authorities went on with the raid without thinking twice.

The April 3 crackdown sparked an outcry, with some biodiversity advocates seeing the action as a conspiracy.

Some believe that the crackdown may aim at benefiting big pharma that has been investing in medical marijuana products.

While it needs more proof to support the accusation, what the state has done only intensifies public suspicion as to whether those involved had an ulterior motive.

The conspiracy theory cannot be overlooked given the fact that the crackdown is not justified by any means.

Former senator Rosana Tositrakul, who is now a civic leader, questioned the justification of the April 3 crackdown because, she said, the government has encouraged those with marijuana to register plant ownership with the state in a three-month period, starting at the end of February.

There will be no punishment if marijuana owners register during the so-called amnesty or pardon process which was announced in the Royal Gazette. In principle, Mr Daycha still has almost two months to register the plants with the concerned agencies. So why is the state in such a rush to get him into trouble?

It's true that marijuana is still illegal, and the authorities may claim that reason for their action. But the government must be aware the plants remain illegal only because the country's plan to reclassify it, as suggested by health experts, has yet to be completed.

Instead of dealing with this case with such a heavy hand, authorities should find ways to work with the foundation or support the foundation's work which is noble in its goal. Social media has been flooded with stories of people suffering from terminal illness who are grateful to medical marijuana, despite it being illegal.

Mr Daycha and his foundation do not deserve such a harsh action. The crackdown only shows the law of the country is obsolete while law enforcers have poor vision.

Yesterday, veteran politician Newin Chidchob came out to join the #savedechacampaign. He voiced concerns the crackdown has more or less sabotaged the country's traditional medicine production with marijuana as an element. Mr Newin said it's necessary for state officials to change their views toward marijuana and act accordingly.

The state has no choice but to listen carefully.