Council helps farmers, patients register for medical marijuana

By The Nation

 

 

THE NATIONAL Farmers Council (NFC) is preparing to help farmers and patients register for medical marijuana, which has just been legalised.

 

The deadline for registration is May 17. 

 

“Our provincial councils are conducting surveys and gathering relevant documents,” NFC president Prapat Panyachatiraksa said yesterday. 

 

He was speaking as part of an awareness campaign held by the NFC in the northeastern province of Sakhon Nakhon. 

 

“We want people to understand the medical-marijuana development, related government measures and the legal framework,” he said. 

 

According to him, NFC has been pushing for the legalisation of medical marijuana since 2016, as it believes that farmers and patients will be able to produce cannabis-based medicines locally. 

 

Since the legislation is already in place, the NFC is conducting a road show to educate the public about the issue. 

 

“We are against any form of monopoly,” Prapat said. “And we disagree with the free trade of medical marijuana”. 

 

Fighting big money

 

He said the country’s current structure favours big investors, who can purchase agricultural produce cheaply and enjoy huge margins after processing those crops. 

 

“So, we hope control measures will be well in place,” he added. 

 

Prapat said seminars and workshops should also be held to identify good cannabis strains and support good manufacturing standards of medical marijuana. 

 

Several studies suggest cannabis extracts are useful to treat patients suffering from several diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer’s. 

 

While Thailand is allowing medical marijuana, cannabis remains illegal. 

 

Possession and use of cannabis are crimes punishable with a jail term. So, possessors, users and growers of cannabis must register with relevant authorities if they are consuming the herb for medical reasons. 

 

Source:  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30366955

 

 -- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-02

"...While Thailand is allowing medical marijuana, cannabis remains illegal..." 

 

This is an untenable, illogical situation.

 

Given the global availability of weed (can anyone tell me a country where it isn't available), continuing a policy of allowing weed for medical purposes and while maintaining its illegality does not make sense. It is a logical certainty that if/when a country expands the production for medical reasons, there will be a concurrent rise in the recreational use of the herb; given its generally non-threatening properties, it makes much more sense to simply legalize it outright, tax it and allow it.

 

Global legalization of weed IS coming to Asia, sooner or later (and sooner rather than later). The first country that legalizes will be able to create the model for future cultivation, the future framework for societal use and the future legal code governing it; the country that takes these steps first can and will be able to create conditions for their own advantage and benefit.

 

Thailand; your next multi-billion dollar company (think a new Red Bull) is waiting to be formed, if you have the nerve to allow it. If not, then imagine your disgust when you see another country do it.

 

Who dares wins...

 

 

If a foreigner needs this herb for it's multiple benefits medically, what risk(s) can he/she expect if registering?