25) The history of cannabis trafficking in Thailand

From the book: "Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade"

In the 1970s, one of Thailand's most famous exports was an extremely potent strain of marijuana known asThai sticks. Soon, a five-part documentary series and a television series will be produced to explore the illegal drug trade and the individuals who smuggled these sticks from Thailand into the Western world. These projects are based on the book"Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade", co-authored by historian Peter Maguire and former smuggler Mike Ritter. This book, although not available in Thai bookstores, can be purchased on Amazon.

Kelly Slater's Interest in Marijuana Trade History

Legendary surfer and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater read the book shortly after its publication in 2013 and was so captivated that he decided to acquire the rights to make it into a film. Deeply invested in the project, Slater is working closely with Sony, as well as Maguire and Ritter, to produce both the documentary and the television series..

“ This book is amazing,” Slater said.“ History lessons they don't teach you in school. This is the first in a two-book series. The stories are too fascinating not to be adapted into a TV series or movie.”

The Origins of the Thai Marijuana Trade

The book focuses primarily on the 1970s, a period when the majority of marijuana consumed in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and Europe was imported. At that time, domestic marijuana production was almost nonexistent. The highest quality marijuana came from Thailand and was commonly referred to asThai ou Buddha sticks because of its presentation. The plant’s sticky, THC-rich buds were wrapped around a small bamboo stick and tied with cotton or bamboo fibers. The sticks resembled those used for satay skewers..

“Thai growers already knew how to remove the male plants, allowing the female plants to produce large flower buds, which were carefully harvested and cleared of unwanted leaves.,” explain Ritter.“The remaining nuggets were then tied to a short piece of bamboo, similar to a satay skewer, about 14 to 15 cm long. Twenty of these sticks were grouped together in a neat little bundle.”

“ At best, 100 packs of Thai sticks weigh about 3.5 kilos and, once wrapped in plastic, they became the standard unit for smugglers..”

Documenting an underground industry

Maguire and Ritter were the first to properly document this underground industry. The only other evidence of this era comes from the often hazy memories of those involved and old newspaper articles from theBangkok Post and fromBangkok World. Both authors are uniquely qualified to do justice to this story..

Peter Maguire is a historian, former war crimes investigator, defense consultant, and author ofLaw and War (2001) etFacing Death in Cambodia (2005).Law and War remains one of the reference texts on war crimes and has been cited in many famous trials, including that ofDonald Rumsfeld v Jose Padilla.Facing Death in Cambodia traces the author's ten-year quest for justice for war crimes in Cambodia, where he worked to uncover information that could be used in the international tribunal now known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Maguire has also published articles in journals such asThe International Herald Tribune,The New York Times,The Independent,New York Newsday, etThe Boston Globe. He taught the theory of law and war at Columbia University and Bard College.

Mike Ritter dropped out of the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1967 and took theHippie Trail to the hashish capitals of Afghanistan and India. He began smuggling hashish and marijuana in 1968 and continued this business for 18 years, until his retirement in 1986. Arrested for customs and currency violations in 2003, Ritter served 16 months at the Federal Corrections Institute in Florence, Colorado. After his release, he decided to complete his college education and graduated in 2013 with a degree in astronomy and physics at the age of 66..

The two authors collected over 1,000 hours of recorded interviews with international smugglers, the DEA, the CIA, Thai police, Thai smugglers, former Khmer Rouge cadres and many others. A second book on the same subject is in the works — after the first book was released, many former Thai sticks smugglers contacted the authors to share their stories..

“When Thai Stick authors Peter Maguire and Mike Ritter held a book signing at Chaucer’s Books, the audience included quite a few men in their 50s and 60s, many wearing baseball caps and Hawaiian-style shirts,” wrote Charles Donelan duSanta Barbara Independent.“ The crooks were out.”

A cultural and historical exploration of the marijuana trade

Maguire, who grew up surfing the California coast and spent time surfing in Australia, Bali and Hawaii, was exposed to the counterculture of the surf scene. At that time, young, long-haired rebels traveled the world in search of the perfect wave and discovered that smuggling hashish and marijuana provided them with a substantial income that allowed them to live as they pleased. Documenting the lifestyles of these people became a passion of his.

“ Since we started interviewing people over 15 years ago, many people who helped us a lot are now deceased.,” Maguire toldSpectrum.“We were touched by the many older surfers/smugglers who came out of the shadows to greet our book. One major smuggler showed up at a book signing in California.”

“ He spent 14 years in Thai and American prisons, and although he did not want to be interviewed, he came over to shake our hand and tell us that he thought the book was fair and accurate. While we disagree about the dangers of marijuana, the retired DEA agents we interviewed also thought the book was fair and admit that compared to methamphetamine and cocaine, the Thai marijuana trade seems positively innocent.”

The Rise and Fall of Thailand's Marijuana Trade

Thai Stick follows the marijuana trade that flourished in Thailand in the late 1960s, throughout the 1970s and into the early 1980s. Smuggling to the United States began with GIs fighting in Vietnam who were stationed at the many U.S. bases in Thailand or who came here for rest and relaxation. As the reputation and popularity of Thai marijuana grew, others got in on the act, andThai sticks were smuggled into Australia and Europe on a large scale. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, smoking marijuana, although illegal, quickly became one of the most popular pastimes among young people around the world.

At that time, the best marijuana in the world came from Thailand..“ It was the most exotic thing anyone had ever seen.,” a said former smuggler Ritter.“ Everyone had to have it.”

“ A crude test used in Thailand to determine quality was to press a Thai stick against a wall; if it stuck and did not fall off, it was good cannabis.," said John McDermott, an American living in Thailand who experimented with Thai weed and other drugs in the late 1960s.." People talked about it as if it were a magic thing..”

However, by the early 1980s, the trade had ended, for a variety of reasons. Increased drug enforcement around the world, increased marijuana production in the United States, and declining international relations between countries helped end the underground industry.Thai stick.

Consequences and Legacy of the Thai Stick Trade

The decline of the underground industryThai stick marked the end of a unique era in the history of the international marijuana trade. However, its impact is still felt in the culture and economy of the regions concerned. Thai growers, although facing challenges due to stricter regulations, have continued to innovate and develop marijuana strains that are suited to the tastes and demands of today’s markets. Furthermore, Thailand recently legalized the medical use of marijuana, paving the way for a potential revival of the country’s cannabis industry..

The Evolutionary Perception of Marijuana

The story ofThai stick is also emblematic of the changing perception of marijuana around the world. Once considered an illegal and reprehensible substance, marijuana is now increasingly recognized for its medical and therapeutic uses. Countries such as Canada and several American states have legalized its recreational use, while others are still exploring the possibilities offered by its regulation. TheThai stick, as a symbol of the 1970s counterculture, it illustrates the transformation of social and political attitudes toward marijuana over the decades.

The Future of Cannabis in Thailand

As Thailand moves towards legalizing and regulating cannabis, theThai stick remains an integral part of its cultural heritage. Efforts to legalize and de-stigmatize marijuana in the country could open up new economic and cultural opportunities for Thais. By investing in research and innovation, Thailand can become a world leader in the production and export of quality cannabis, while honoring the traditions and heritage of Thai marijuana.

Conclusion

Story of the Thai stick is a fascinating account of how a simple plant has influenced cultures, economies, and lives around the world. Thanks to the documentation efforts of people like Peter Maguire and Mike Ritter, this captivating story is now accessible to a wider audience, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of the cannabis industry and how it has evolved over the decades. Whether through books, documentaries, or television series, the Thai stick will continue to fascinate and inspire future generations.