Use of medical cannabis could begin early as December

Use of medical cannabis could begin early as December

Use of medical cannabis in the treatment of patients with certain illnesses is tentatively set to begin by the end of the year, under strict controls, Justice Minister Prajin Juntong said on Wednesday.

The government was speeding up the process and appropriate regulations would be put in place in December.

These would concern the selection of cannabis varieties, cultivation, extraction, medicinal formulas, and reduction of possible negative affects on patients, he said.

It would be tried on animals and humans, and local drug manufacturers would be allowed to produce marijuana products for use in medical treatment, to ensure fair competition against imported products, ACM Prajin said.

Niyom Termsrisuk, secretary-general of the Narcotics Control Board, said cannabis cultivation would be strictly controlled to prevent abuse and contamination with chemicals and pesticides.

International reports showed both positive and negative effects of the use of cannabinoid extracts, according to Mr Nyom. Cannabis could help with the treatment of some illnesses.

However, demand was rising and incidents had arisen from its use. Illegal cannabis had been found mixed with the legal product and the contamination had been harmful to patients, Mr Niyom said.

He said Thailand would not legalise the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. Authorities would carefully specify cultivation areas and enforce standards in its production for medical purposes.

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