Chadchart says wait for autopsy after hyping ‘cannabis death’

Bangkok’s new governor said an autopsy is needed to confirm the cause of a man’s death which has whipped up Reefer Madness-style hysteria in the tabloids.

A day after he blamed the unidentified 51-year-old man’s death on a cannabis overdose – prompting some to condemn its legalization as premature – Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said today that it was too early to reach any conclusions.

“Initial reports said the man had a history of using cannabis,” Chadchart said. “But we’re still waiting for autopsy results to see if the man suffered from other health conditions.”

While overconsumption of cannabis can lead to unpleasant reactions including nausea, anxiety and high blood pressure, it is usually not fatal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

After it was decriminalized Thursday, reports spread of four people admitted to hospitals in…