Myth and Meaning of Cannabis in Thai Society
Keywords:
Myth, meaning, cannabis, natural right, discourseAbstract
The objectives of the research on myth and meaning of cannabis in Thai society has the objectives were 1) myth of Thai society towards cannabis 2) To utilize from cannabis and the meaning of cannabis in Thai society 3) To study the right to access cannabis for self-healing and the natural rights, and 4) fighting, demanding and social movements in the dimension of cannabis. The theoretical concepts used in this study include the myth theories, the guideline of semiology, New Social Movement-NSM, leadership theories, concepts of power, concepts of natural rights and concepts of claims and social movements. The main informant of this research consisted of 20 informants divided into 6 groups as government agencies, management, academics, social activists, modern medicine, alternative medicine, local healers and medical cannabis patients. This research was qualitative research methods. The used instruments were in-depth interviews and a focus group. The results revealed that
1. The myth of Thai society towards cannabis is created by 2 directions which are Western knowledge from medical schools affecting the drug formulas and the role of local healers disap- peared from Thai society. Another direction is to state the law that has a disclosure. Myth means Thai society towards cannabis through consciousness and sensory perception. Cannabis also has been enacted according to be good deeds, turpitude, narcissism, cruelty and the cause of the crime until becoming “Myth”
2. Cannabis utilization and the meaning of cannabis in Thai society. Western knowledge has led to an educational management system that has created a myth for the use of cannabis that requires scientific research experiments, traditional medicine, and folk medicine knowledge that were drowned out by myth and western educational plans. When there is no pharmacological research, cannabis is not accepted as a therapeutic drug for real benefits.
3. Thai citizens have the right to access cannabis plant and Thai citizens have can be civil disobedience for their rights and new social movements in the cannabis dimension, social mech- anisms on cannabis, and the creation of myths. The important process is the decision-making and participation of Thai citizens in policymaking.
4. New social movements on cannabis have created and sustained democracy onwards. Citizenship is a group gathered for acting politics affecting social and political change which outdistances from government power changes.
interpretation of cultural beliefs that are minimized as if they were natural as similar to the myth of
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