An examination of youth perspectives on drug legislation and cannabis legalization policies amidst state policy transitions: A case study of Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

This study examines the level of understanding among youth in Phitsanulok Province regarding the Narcotics Code B.E. 2564 (2021) and Thailand’s cannabis liberalization policy following the state’s policy transition, as well as their attitudes toward and experiences with cannabis use in daily life. Employing a quantitative research design, the study surveyed 440 upper secondary school students across nine districts of Phitsanulok Province, selected through simple random and accidental sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that youth demonstrated moderate to high levels of awareness about the narcotics laws, particularly concerning the use of cannabis for medical purposes and the prioritization of targeting dealers rather than users, though gaps remain in technical legal understanding. Their attitudes reflected awareness of cannabis-related harms, such as progression to other drugs and risk-inducing behaviors. At the same time, their experiences of encountering cannabis in daily life were notably high, especially through online media, schools, and communities. Importantly, while the proportion of youth who had personally used cannabis was relatively low (5%), the high level of exposure to cannabis use increases the risk of imitation and distorted perceptions in the future. Policy recommendations include: (1) strengthening effective communication systems to ensure that cannabis-related laws and policies reach youth clearly and accurately, and (2) enforcing strict spatial measures to control youth access to cannabis. For practical application, the research findings may contribute to the development of school-based learning curricula and the establishment of collaborative networks among parents, schools, and communities to address the issue.