While Thailand's obsession with the benefits of marijuana for medical purposes has grown following an amendment to the Narcotics Act, an expert in medical toxicology at Mahidol University is warning the government to first categorise and regulate the minimum chemical composition of each strain before it goes any further.
Asst Prof Sahaphume Srisuma, a lecturer at Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, said the use of cannabis for medical treatment needs to be approached with caution as various strains of marijuana contain different concentrations of beneficial cannabinoids, which would make some strains better for treating certain conditions over other strains.
The buds of the cannabis plant contain several active ingredients that are responsible for most of its psychoactive effects -- two of which are tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), and cannabidiols (CBD).
"THC is a muscle relaxant and can help with nausea, but higher doses can cause sleepiness and intoxication, which could then lead to addiction," Dr Sahaphume told a press briefing held to mark the end of the 90-day amnesty registration period for medical marijuana users.
"On the other hand, CBD is non-addictive as it has less-psychoactive effects," he said.
"It can be used to treat epilepsy without the intoxicating effect of THC."
To use it safely and effectively, the level of cannabinoids must be controlled to prevent abuse and misprescription, he said, citing the United States' policies.
"Some states limit the amount of THC in hemp plants intended for medical purposes. There are monitoring systems in place in the US to prevent abuses," he said.
He warned the full liberalisation of cannabis could lead to misuse and increased accidents.
"Some producers deliberately cultivate cannabis strains with a high level of THC for recreational users," he said.
"This may lead to psychological dependence, and increased frequency of accidents," he said.