Decriminalisation of kratom hailed by rights advocates

A Thailand Development Research Institute study estimated that the decriminalisation will save authorities about 1.69 billion baht in prosecution costs
The Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Tuesday, August 24, 2021

kratomThe decriminalisation of kratom, long used as a herbal remedy but which some health regulators around the world have criticised as potentially unsafe, was welcomed by human rights advocates. Kratom is part of the coffee family, used for centuries in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea for its pain-relieving and mildly stimulating effects. It has become increasingly popular in the United States. The change to Thai law means "the general public will be able to consume and sell kratom legally", government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said, while more than 1,000 prisoners convicted of offences related to the drug will be freed. (See also: Thailand legalizes kratom, popular plant-based painkiller)