Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is hosting an event on Saturday promoting medical cannabis businesses in Nakhon Phanom, in a move aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the plant and boosting local tourism.
Traisuree Taisaranakul, deputy government spokeswoman, said the event, titled "Kick Off Kancha Rim Fang Kong (cannabis near Mekong Riverside)", was organised by the Public Health Ministry, Tourism and Sports Ministry and local agencies at Sawan Chai Khong Road in Muang Nakhon Phanom district.
The event's opening ceremony is to be presided over by Mr Anutin.
Ms Traisuree said the government is aiming to promote the cultivation of cannabis for medical use.
Visitors can see routes for cannabis tourism and how to properly grow and process the plant, among other highlights.
"We can see that [legal] cannabis can be used as a cash crop for both medical and tourism purposes, which can be a model for other areas across the country," she said.
Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu, a Bhumjaithai MP for Nakhon Phanom, yesterday chaired an event on growing cannabis plants near the Mekong River for members of the Ban Tha Khwai community in tambon At Samat.
The community has been given the green light to grow the plants. The move is in line with the government's policy to promote the use of cannabis for medicine and stimulate the economy. Each household can reportedly grow six pots of cannabis.
Eight households attended the event using plants given by Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat.
Community enterprises in other areas are also allowed to grow cannabis in four districts -- That Phanom, Na Kae, Wang Yang and Phon Sawan.