Thailand is finally getting legal medical marijuana.
The National Legislative Assembly of Thailand (NLA) yesterday revealed their plan to legalize the substance by the end of year as a parting “New Year present” before their term ends.
The news came during an NLA and the Ministry of Public health forum on the issue held at Parliament House.
“We will accelerate the deliberation of these amendments so that we can complete them before the end of December as a New Year gift for Thai citizens,” said NLA committee on public health chairman Dr. Jet Sirathranont, according to Workpoint.
Studies by the Public Health Ministry have proven cannabis to be an effective treatment for symptoms of certain physical conditions including peripheral neuropathy, epilepsy, and muscle stiffness, he added.
As the (relatively) swift move toward legalization progresses, the NLA said they’ve also made plans to control medical cannabis once it’s reclassified.
At the forum, they introduced the Geographic Information System (GIS), which combines man-power with software and tools in order to enable spatial analysis, manage large datasets, and display information in a map form.
That will be used to map out and monitor exactly where medical cannabis is being used post-reclassification.
Furthermore, Vicha Mahakun, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, explained three essential foundations he said must accompany the law changes.
Firstly, marijuana and kratom (a locally popular therapeutic agent that has opioid properties and some stimulant-like effects) must stopped being classified as an illicit “drugs,” but as medicine controlled under the country’s Medicine Act.
Second, measures should be taken to prevent monopolies. And finally, he believes laws should be established allowing the use of the whole plant and not just the extract.
As for the legalization of recreational cabanis use, the panel stated that we’re still a while away that.
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