Image Credit: Taiwan News
Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice reiterated its staunch opposition to the decriminalisation of marijuana during a cross-party legislative meeting held on Friday, September 13. Deputy Minister of Justice Hsu Hsi-hsiang emphasised the ministry’s absolute resistance to changing current laws, which he attributed to growing concerns over the increasing availability of cannabis in Taiwan.
The meeting, chaired by Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Lai Shyh-bao, featured discussions among legislators, local representatives, and experts about strategies to address what they describe as a surge in cannabis use. Lai expressed apprehension that global trends favouring decriminalisation could exacerbate marijuana consumption in Taiwan. He proposed amendments to drug laws that would lengthen prison sentences and increase fines for related offences, alongside bolstering anti-drug education in schools.
Deputy Education Minister Yeh Ping-cheng highlighted the crucial role of drug education, asserting that it is essential for informing students about the detrimental effects of drugs on physical and mental health. Representatives from the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, a Taipei City council member, and a Tainan NGO focused on family welfare also supported enhanced public education on the issue. Pastor Chen Hsiang-jen from Tunghai University expressed concern over the proliferation of positive information about marijuana online, urging a shift towards more medical-focused content.
According to a March release from the justice ministry, police seizures of marijuana surged from 403 cases in 2014 to 1,477 in 2023. The ministry has consistently opposed marijuana legalisation due to health risks and potential negative impacts on national development.
Despite a small number of civil society groups advocating for legalisation, a 2023 survey revealed that approximately 93% of the Taiwanese public remains opposed. Under current Taiwanese law, individuals convicted of manufacturing, transporting, or selling marijuana face life imprisonment and fines up to NT$15 million (US$469,373), categorising the drug alongside fentanyl and methamphetamine.