Thailand on Track to Legalize Medical Cannabis

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]hailand is a country where thousands have been killed in its “War on Drugs,” but may finally be changing course and considering legalizing medical cannabis.

Thailand’s interim cabinet approved a bill earlier this month that could rewrite Thailand’s strict narcotics laws to allow use of over-the-counter cannabis with a doctor’s prescription. Before it is law, it must be approved by the country’s interim assembly.

Thailand is currently ruled by a junta, a military group that is ruling the country after it was overtaken by force. “For medical purposes, they will be able to get the marijuana, but only on a doctor’s orders. They can’t grow it on their own,” Narcotics Control Board director Sirinya Sitdhichai said. “This is what we have put in the draft.”

The open discussion of legalization may in part be because of a research team from Rangsit University who unveiled a cannabis spray that is currently illegal. The team asked for the junta to legalize cannabis so it can be used to treat seriously ill patients. “Be brave. Let us use medical marijuana legally regardless of the method,” University Rector Arthit Urairat said. “It will be your legacy.” Mahidol University also has requested permission to research.

In 2016, the Justice Minister at the time, Paiboon Koomchaya, called an end to the “War on Drugs,” inspired after attending a United Nations conference on narcotics.

Earlier this year, a plan to build a cannabis farm in Thailand was proposed but the health ministry did not approve it. “Three years from now, we may consider granting people such permission,” said Office of Narcotics Control Board Secretary-General Sirinya Sitdhichai earlier this month to The Nation.

Along with legalizing medical use of cannabis, the new law that is currently being discussed would also set up cannabis farms for growing and research, as well as decriminalize hemp, kratom and opium for research purposes only. The Government Pharmaceutical Organization chairman Dr. Sapon Mekthon already has plans to develop a thousand square meter cannabis farm at it Bangkok headquarters.

Currently, penalties for cannabis in Thailand are severe. Possession of cannabis can mean imprisonment for up to 15 years.