Anutin distributes first batch of cannabis oil

[snoop1130]

Anutin distributes first batch of cannabis oil

By The Nation

 

Nation/Pramote Putthaisong Public Health Minister Anutin Chanvirakul holds up a bottle of cannabis oil during a press conference at the ministry’s head office in Nonthaburi province on Wednesday.

 

After receiving the first batch of legally produced cannabis oil on Wednesday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed an ambitious plan to make up to a million bottles of the extract available for medical use in Thailand within the next five to six months.

 

He said this aim is achievable because the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), the Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri province and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine will be producing up to 200,000 bottles of the extract every month from September onwards. 

 

This first batch will be distributed to 12 public hospitals nationwide and to patients participating in medical research projects. While handing over the 4,500 bottles of the extract produced by GPO, Anutin said the oil was free of contamination and suitable for medical use. The 5-millilitre bottles contain medical grade THC cannabis oil for sublingual use.

 

“There is nothing [in the cannabis oil] that can cause any harm to society or cause addiction or accident if it is used under a doctor’s supervision,” said Anutin, whose Bhumjaithai Party’s flagship policy was called “ganja seri” or the liberalisation of cannabis. 

 

Anutin, who is also deputy prime minister, said the extract will be distributed to 12 hospitals, each in a specific public health region, as well as sent to eligible patients participating in medical research programmes or those in dire need for the oil such as sufferers of severe side effects of chemotherapy, epilepsy patients who have developed a resistance to drugs, multiple sclerosis patients and cancer patients in the terminal phase. 

 

The GPO-produced extracts come in three variations: one with high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one with high cannabidiol (CBD), and another with both components at the 1:1 ratio, Anutin said. He added that the ministry will receive another 500 bottles (10ml) of the medical-grade high-CBD cannabis oil and 1,500 bottles (5ml) of the medical-grade THC:CBD cannabis extract later this month.

 

Dr Sukhum Kanchanapimai, permanent secretary for Public Health, said his agency has established clinics to provide a mixture of modern and traditional medicine at 19 pilot hospitals where personnel have already been trained and registered to prescribe cannabis oil to patients and provide consultation after use. He added that the agency will also train village health volunteers and health personnel to provide accurate information about the correct use of cannabis extract. 

 

Sukhum confirmed that 3,900 5ml bottles of high-THC cannabis extract will be sent to 12 state hospitals including the Lampang Hospital, Phitsanulok's Buddhachinnarat Hospital, Nakhon Sawan's Sawan Pracharak Hospital, Sara Buri Hospital, Ratchaburi Hospital, Rayong Hospital, Khon Kaen Hospital, Udon Thani Hospital, Buri Ram Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani's Sappasitthiprasong Hospital, Surat Thani Hospital and Songkhla's Hat Yai Hospital. 

 

From September onward, cannabis oil will also be distributed through seven Thai traditional medical institutes such as Den Chai Hospital in Phrae, Nong Chang Hospital in Uthai Thani, Don Toom Hospital in Nakhon Pathom, Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri, Phra Ajarn Fan Ajaro Hospital in Sakhon Nakhon, Khu Muang hospital in Buri Ram and Tha Chang Hospital in Surat Thani.

 

Dr Somsak Atthasilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services, said 100 5ml bottles of high-THC cannabis oil will be used in cancer cell lab tests and 500 bottles will be used on lab animals. Also bottles of THC:CBD and high-CBD formulas will be sent to the National Cancer Institute for use in research on cancer and epilepsy patients.

 

Somsak also said clinics providing consultation on the use of medical marijuana were established at the National Cancer Institute and hospitals, and the number of these clinics will be increased to 32 within this month. People can also seek advice round the clock via the 1165 hotline. 

 

Dr Opas Gakwinpong, chief of the Medical Sciences Department, said his agency has developed several tests to ensure the safety of cannabis oil to prevent contamination and ensure quality, while a “coordination centre for marijuana lab tests” was also set up to maintain good lab-practice standards for safe and effective use of medical marijuana. 

 

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration, said his agency and GS1 Thailand has launched a smartphone app (available on Android now and will be available for iOS by mid-August) for people to check information by scanning the two-dimensional barcode (GS1 DataMatrix) on labels. The FDA is also urging people to report substandard products or harm sustained from the use of cannabis oil via its website www.fda.moph.go.th. 

 

GPO chairman Dr Sopon Mekthon affirmed that medical-grade cannabis oil produced by GPO was safe and with the active ingredients being efficient and consistent. 

 

The second batch from the first harvest of marijuana crop – grown under controlled light and temperature to ensure the crop is free of fungus and has the correct amount of THC and CBD – will yield another 3,500 bottles of the extract by September. 

 

The second harvest of marijuana will yield about 10,000 bottles of oil in about five months, before the production pace can pick up and produce up to 30,000 bottles every month, he said. In the second phase, when the growing space is expanded early next year, the GPO will manufacture up to 150,000-200,000 bottles a month, before the third phase can see industrial level production, Sopon estimated. 

 

Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, chief of the Mental Health Department, said his agency has produced a form for risk assessment and guidelines for patients to ensure safe use of cannabis oil and prevention of mental illness. 

 

In related news, the National Cancer Institute is inviting cancer patients to apply for participation in the medical marijuana research programme, for which people have until August 30 to submit an application via mmr.nci.go.th or until August 15 if they want to submit it in person at the institute. Applications can be submitted from 1pm to 4pm on weekdays except public holidays. They can also call (02) 202 6800 or (02) 202 6888 extension 1230 for more information.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30374432

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-08-07

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[ChrisY1]

I think this is really good news......so many invaluable uses for many patients where pharmaceutical drugs have little effect

[Globe Trotter]

I sincerely hope this isn't cocked up in some way or another 

[Bogbrush]

I got CBD from my doctor last night, complete with a dinky little vape inhaler, plus a letter to cover any Police stop. Worked immediate wonders on my poor old stiff joints. Not cheap, though...

[Jadam]

25 minutes ago, Bogbrush said:

I got CBD from my doctor last night, complete with a dinky little vape inhaler, plus a letter to cover any Police stop. Worked immediate wonders on my poor old stiff joints. Not cheap, though...

Is that in Thailand?

[ronjomtien]

Can foreigners on 1 year visas or extensions get this oil?

[FarFlungFalang]

3 minutes ago, ronjomtien said:

Can foreigners on 1 year visas or extensions get this oil?

Yes.

[japanese]

57 minutes ago, Bogbrush said:

I got CBD from my doctor last night, complete with a dinky little vape inhaler, plus a letter to cover any Police stop. Worked immediate wonders on my poor old stiff joints. Not cheap, though...

Is that 100% CDB or with trace THC?

[jany123]

1 hour ago, Bogbrush said:

I got CBD from my doctor last night, complete with a dinky little vape inhaler, plus a letter to cover any Police stop. Worked immediate wonders on my poor old stiff joints. Not cheap, though...

Not cheap? How mutt?

[Bob12345]

1 hour ago, Bogbrush said:

I got CBD from my doctor last night, complete with a dinky little vape inhaler, plus a letter to cover any Police stop. Worked immediate wonders on my poor old stiff joints. Not cheap, though...

Spill the beans mister, we wanna know everything.

[FarFlungFalang]

1 hour ago, Bogbrush said:

Worked immediate wonders on my poor old stiff joints. Not cheap, though...

My poor old stiff joint ain't cheap either and I'm sure a bottle of THC oil would do wonders for it!

[from the home of CC]

35 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Yes.

is that in the article or did you read that elsewhere?

[whaleboneman]

I can tell by his smirk that he’s been sampling the oil.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Anutin distributes first batch of cannabis oil

So money does grow on trees after all !

[justin case]

is there a list of patients

 

or does it go to influential people's family members first, as usual

[FarFlungFalang]

3 hours ago, from the home of CC said:

is that in the article or did you read that elsewhere?

There have been quite a number of reports in TV forums of foreigners obtaining cannabis oil from doctors,but I suspect some of these are not entirely above board.Also I'm sure I have read articles stating the foreigners will also be able to legally obtain it.

  To answer your question,no it is not in the article and I did read it elsewhere.If he asked if it could be obtained legally I might have said no and that it is a work in progress.

[Bogbrush]

For all who have asked; yes, it was issued to me in Phuket/Rawai (Andaman Clinic on Vigit Rd) by the doctor who has obtained a special license/training, I believe. Anyone can get it (I think) irrespective of visa type, although he does ask for a copy of passport main page. 

 

As as I said, the price was high - 5000 baht, of which 1500 baht was for the vape - and I can’t attest to the actual makeup of the CBD as the container has no labeling, as you can see. The syringe is for taking the muti out of the container and injecting it into the vape. I have no real idea at this stage how long the contents will last, but the doctor was encouraging..

 

Now, where did I put my copy of “Sgt Pepper “.....?

[ChipButty]

5 minutes ago, Bogbrush said:

For all who have asked; yes, it was issued to me in Phuket/Rawai (Andaman Clinic on Vigit Rd) by the doctor who has obtained a special license/training, I believe. Anyone can get it (I think) irrespective of visa type, although he does ask for a copy of passport main page. 

 

As as I said, the price was high - 5000 baht, of which 1500 baht was for the vape - and I can’t attest to the actual makeup of the CBD as the container has no labeling, as you can see. The syringe is for taking the muti out of the container and injecting it into the vape. I have no real idea at this stage how long the contents will last, but the doctor was encouraging..

 

Now, where did I put my copy of “Sgt Pepper “.....?

What a load of Bollicks that is and 5000 Baht <deleted> messing, Im sure some bas tards are making a fortune out of this

[mok199]

A free bong for the first 100 customers..

[ChipButty]

I thought vaping in Thailand was illegal? 

[gamesgplayemail]

how much did you pay please ?

I can see the $$$$ in Anunu eyes !

 

 

[FarFlungFalang]

38 minutes ago, mok199 said:

A free bong for the first 100 customers..

I have a lot of bamboo here and a lot of experience in the manufacture so I might have to go into product but I will have to personally test each one before it leaves the shop so I wonder if I can get a licence?

[Bogbrush]

32 minutes ago, gamesgplayemail said:

how much did you pay please ?

I can see the $$$$ in Anunu eyes !

 

 

As I mentioned, 3500 baht for the CBD but that included a 500 baht consultation. And for those who think it’s expensive...

 

[Redline]

I hope they send people to international conferences instead of attempting to replicate research already done.

 

why are they only giving it to cancer patients in the terminal phase?  It seems nobody has done any investigation on what cannabinoids can do?  There are many reasons to treat cancer patients before they are terminally ill ???? 

[Jimdandy]

On 8/7/2019 at 8:05 PM, snoop1130 said:

 

“There is nothing [in the cannabis oil] that can cause any harm to society or cause addiction or accident if it is used under a doctor’s supervision,” said Anutin,

Would you like the email address of any of the numerous doctors in the US who said the same thing about Oxycontin, so you can compare notes?

[FarFlungFalang]

2 hours ago, Redline said:

I hope they send people to international conferences instead of attempting to replicate research already done.

 

why are they only giving it to cancer patients in the terminal phase?  It seems nobody has done any investigation on what cannabinoids can do?  There are many reasons to treat cancer patients before they are terminally ill ???? 

They only have a limited amount at the moment so the most severe cases are getting first access until the supply chain gets into full swing.

[Jadam]

22 hours ago, Bogbrush said:

As I mentioned, 3500 baht for the CBD but that included a 500 baht consultation. And for those who think it’s expensive...

 

About the same price in the states and prob better quality......

 

So if I were to get a prescription from a Thai doctor to use this, I could then in theory bring back from abroad as well?

On that topic, if there's a shortage, why don't they just import from other countries?

 

[FarFlungFalang]

11 minutes ago, Jadam said:

About the same price in the states and prob better quality......

 

So if I were to get a prescription from a Thai doctor to use this, I could then in theory bring back from abroad as well?

On that topic, if there's a shortage, why don't they just import from other countries?

 

Bringing stuff from elsewhere has been discussed on TV and the overwhelming response was don't do it.They haven't finished sorting out the laws here in Thailand.Importing is almost certainly taking place and has been for quite some time as people were reporting obtaining it before the government had started growing it.People have been getting it from doctors who have not been getting the official government supplied oil.Seems to be a bit of a grey area at the moment and will probably remain so until the government opens up the market.In the mean time the black market will no doubt flourish as is usual when money is to be made.

[Jadam]

You can now order the imported CBD products online from a shop in Bangkok and have them shipped to you by post https://en.siam-cbd.com/

[FarFlungFalang]

2 hours ago, Jadam said:

You can now order the imported CBD products online from a shop in Bangkok and have them shipped to you by post https://en.siam-cbd.com/

Wonder how this sits in regards to the law?