It is not surprising if Thailand just wants a piece of the thriving cannabis market, which is estimated to be worth billions of dollars.
Cannabis has an illegal status throughout Asia, but that may change soon, with Thailand planning to legalize medical cannabis.
The proposed legalization of medical cannabis in this Southeast Asian country is driven purely by economical reasons. Thailand wants to market cannabis for medical purposes.
Cannabis to boost the economy?
The Government Pharmaceutical Organization, which operates under the Ministry of Public Health, is currently trying to convince Thailand’s military government to study cannabis and market it for medical purposes.
The government had previously studied the benefits of the drug in treating certain diseases and found that it greatly helps with three medical conditions. These are the loss of appetite and nausea for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy in children.
Thailand’s cannabis growing history
The world’s best cannabis strains 20 years ago were from Thailand. Now, Canada has developed this strain, and Thailand can no longer claim that theirs is the best. — GPO executive managing director Dr. Nopporn Cheanklin
One major reason why Thailand decided to learn more about medical cannabis is because of its geographic location, which makes it ideal for growing the plant. It also has a consistent tropical climate that is suitable for growing the plant.
What’s more, the country has a successful marijuana cultivation history, giving it an edge over its competition. In fact, back in the 1980s, Thailand was the top cannabis exporter in the world.
The plant also has a history of being used in traditional Thai medicine for nausea, childbirth pain, and distress. Farm workers in the country also used it to relax after a long day’s work.
According to GPO’s executive managing director Dr. Nopporn Cheanklin, the world’s best cannabis strains 20 years ago were from Thailand. Now, Canada has developed this strain, and Thailand can no longer claim that theirs is the best, he said.
It is not surprising if Thailand just wants a piece of the thriving cannabis market, which is estimated to be worth billions of dollars.
Clinical trials
Once the law comes into effect, Thailand would be the first country in Asia to legalize medical cannabis. Private medical institutions will be able to apply for licenses with the Ministry of Public Health to conduct their own cannabis experiments.
In May, the cabinet ministers approved the bill to allow the use of medical cannabis. The bill would also decriminalize opium, hemp, and kratom for medical research. Furthermore, this bill allows for studies of cannabis on human subjects.
The matter will now be up for deliberations at the National Legislative Assembly. The debates will take place for months before the bill is expected to be passed into law in April 2019.
Once the law comes into effect, Thailand would be the first country in Asia to legalize medical cannabis. Private medical institutions will be able to apply for licenses with the Ministry of Public Health to conduct their own cannabis experiments.
Cannabis farm and personal cultivation
GPO chairman Dr. Sopon Mekthon said that they plan to develop a 1,100-square-meter cannabis farm in Bangkok. He said that the GPO also plans to acquire a machine to extract marijuana concentrates.
As for personal cultivation, the Office of Narcotics Control Board stated that there is a possibility that people will be allowed to grow their own cannabis plant for medical use.
ONCB Secretary-General Sirinya Sitdhichai also pointed out that researchers from Rangsit and Mahidol universities already sought the government’s permission to grow marijuana for medical research. Their study would focus on pain control and cancer therapies.