The Journey Under the Waves

This article is a first-person account from inside Thailand's 2024 cannabis protests — the demonstrations that erupted across Bangkok when the government announced plans to re-criminalize recreational cannabis, two years after the landmark 2022 decriminalization.

Key Takeaways

• In mid-2024, Thailand's government signaled plans to re-criminalize recreational cannabis
• Protesters from across Thailand gathered in Bangkok to oppose the proposed ban
• The author attended the protests to interview participants and document the movement
• The experience revealed the depth of Thailand's cannabis community and culture
• The protests directly inspired the creation of Now or Never Magazine

What Happened

It all started around month 6 or 8 of 2024. By that time, cannabis had been legal for almost two years. Then, suddenly, news started circulating that it might be outlawed again. When people caught wind of that, they came together — north, south, east, and west — to protest against the government's decision to potentially criminalize cannabis once more.

What I Found

I went to that protest planning to interview people and hear their thoughts on cannabis. But once I got there, I ended up learning way more than I expected. I didn't just learn about cannabis itself — I discovered the rich culture around it, the communities built through it, and how much people have benefited from its legalization.

The Birth of the Magazine

That experience opened my eyes. I came across so many stories, facts, and perspectives that inspired me to create something — a media platform to share helpful information and showcase the beauty of cannabis culture. That's how my magazine, "Now or Never," was born. I chose the name because I realized — if I don't do it now, then when?

Read More in the Magazine

The full story of the protests — including interviews with participants and on-the-ground photography — is documented in Issue 1.