The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has endorsed the Public Health Ministry's draft announcement preluding the legislative process to legally recognise the use of cannabis and hemp.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the ONCB seconded the ministry's draft regulation at a meeting which he attended yesterday.
The draft specifies opium poppy, shroom (magic mushroom) and extracts of cannabis and hemp as carrying less than 0.2% of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by weight. THC is the chemical responsible for most of cannabis's psychological effects.
Mr Anutin said the ONCB will formally sign its endorsement of the draft announcement before referring it to him as public health minister for signing before it is published in the Royal Gazette.
However, the recognition of cannabis and hemp extracts in the Royal Gazette will not take immediate effect.
A window lasting up to 120 days will be allowed for regulations to be drawn up governing the control of extract uses for medical, research and study purposes.
The regulations will be reflected in a draft law that the Bhumjaithai Party is sponsoring to control the general use of cannabis and hemp. Mr Anutin is also the Bhumjaithai leader.