Tracking Trends in Public Opinion on Cannabis Before and After Legalization in Thailand: A Social Media Content Analysis

Abstract

Once cannabis was removed from the class-5 list, Thailand became the first Asian country to legalize its recreational use. However, the lack of regulation has raised public health concerns, and research specific to the Thai context is limited. This study analyzed public opinion on cannabis before and after its legalization using content from social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube. A total of 321 posts before and 625 posts after the policy announcement were selected via purposive sampling for content analysis. The findings show that public opinion shifted more negatively after legalization, with concerns such as cannabis misuse, overly liberal policies, the need for cannabis-free educational zones, and its association with crime. However, some positive opinions were also expressed, highlighting cannabis as alternative medicine and challenging biases against its use. This analysis provides insights that can inform policy development and raise public awareness about the risks associated with the recreational usage of cannabis.