Thailand To Legalize Marijuana

An official of ONCB, Chuanpit Choomwattana, made the disclosure at a seminar on “Medical Use of Cannabis: Experiences of Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands,’’ affirming that legalizing cannabis for medical purposes would have to go through several legislative readings. “The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will have to pass the first reading to enact the use of cannabis for medical purpose only.”

The official added that in February 2019, the NLA would then pass another bill to allow possession of cannabis, but again only for medical purpose before giving cannabis full license before May 2019.

It was gathered that the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) started work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Narcotics Suppression Bureau to launch a research project on developing and mass-producing medicines from marijuana in September 2018. The Narcotics Suppression Bureau had already given 100 kilograms of seized marijuana to the GPO as raw material for the research.

The country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Prajin Junthong, who presided over the opening of the seminar, expressed confidence over the 55.8 billion U.S. dollars lucrative industry, saying “Thailand is a tropical country most suited to grow high hemp plant. “The Kingdom has the potential to be a world leader in the development and production of cannabinoid medicines, which would enhance the efficiency of medical care and treatment in many patient groups.”