Thailand rolls out cannabis clinic based on traditional medicine

[webfact]

Thailand rolls out cannabis clinic based on traditional medicine

By Chayut Setboonsarng

 

Patients check their vital signs to receive free treatment during the launch of the first official medical cannabis clinic in Bangkok, Thailand January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge SIlva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand opened its first full-time clinic specialising in traditional and alternative cannabis-based medicine on Monday, as part of a move by the government towards developing a medicinal cannabis industry.

 

"This is a pilot clinic, because we cannot produce enough doctors with expertise in cannabis," Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirankul, told reporters at the opening ceremony in Bangkok. Patients will receive treatment free of charge for the first two weeks, he added.

 

Thailand, which has a tradition of using cannabis to relieve pain and fatigue, legalized marijuana for medical use and research in 2017 to boost agricultural income.

 

There are already around 25 cannabis clinics attached to general hospitals around the country but, unlike the newly-launched pilot clinic, they operate for just a few days a week due to a lack of specialised staff.

 

Patients enrol in a monitoring research program to receive free treatment during the launch of the first official medical cannabis clinic in Bangkok, Thailand January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge SIlva

 

The largest producer of medicinal cannabis is currently the health ministry's Government Pharmaceutical Organization. Kasetsart University's director of medical cannabis research, Natakorn Thasnas, told Reuters that the university would supply 2,200 kilograms of cannabis leaf to the ministry.

 

Cannabis production, cultivation and sale has been limited to licensed Thai producers for the next four years to protect the domestic industry.

 

Currently, only hospitals and research facilities are allowed to apply for cannabis production and extraction licenses, but the government is reviewing regulations to enable Thai businesses to apply for permits.

 

Last year, Thailand dropped cannabis and hemp extracts from its narcotics list and proposed a draft law that would allow each household to grow six cannabis plants.

 

Four types of drugs, containing different combinations of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psycho-active ingredient in cannabis, were given to patients to treat migraine, insomnia, neck pain and muscle stiffness, the ministry said in a statement.

 

The pilot clinic, based in the Ministry of Public Health, expects to see between 200 to 300 patients daily.

 

"I was worried at first, but I studied the effects and decided it was better because its natural," said Waraporn Boonsri, 69, who received four vials of cannabis oil to help her sleep.

 

Nearly 2,200 patients have registered at the clinic until March, a health official told Reuters. Anutin said there were plans for 77 clinics to be opened across the country, with one in every province.

 

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Prapan Chankaew; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-06

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[bkk6060]

I hate the idea it may eventually be legalized.

How many people died last week in traffic accidents?

Add many more stoned potheads on the roadways the carnage will increase.

Dumb idea.

[unamazedloso]

That sounds almost legal now? I got a pain in my ass. Got a lot actually.

[DrTuner]

Somehow I'm not surprised there's a monk first in line.

[mooseman]

15 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I hate the idea it may eventually be legalized.

How many people died last week in traffic accidents?

Add many more stoned potheads on the roadways the carnage will increase.

Dumb idea.

Some studies find drops in accidents where legalization has taken place

 

https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/668812

 

Better they smoke then drink and drive.

[sjbrownderby]

16 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I hate the idea it may eventually be legalized.

How many people died last week in traffic accidents?

Add many more stoned potheads on the roadways the carnage will increase.

Dumb idea.

There is no data to support your assertion, in fact current anecdotal evidence shows the contrary to be the case where traffic accidents are concerned. Perhaps you ought to read up a little more and find out the medical benefits of cannabis in it's different forms, and they are many. 

[yankyoakum]

when you ever seen a pothead speeding, they are the ones driving 30KPH in a 90 zone 555

[LazySlipper]

18 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I hate the idea it may eventually be legalized.

How many people died last week in traffic accidents?

Add many more stoned potheads on the roadways the carnage will increase.

Dumb idea.

Geeez dude...

Get a life... really... how many people die back in the west because of cannabis use... not that many. Where I come from there are weekly statistics on road deaths and it isn't more than 1-3 a week and most of them are due to alcohol not grass. Canada has now legalized it and we don't hear of road fatality statistics going up there. I used to smoke but have stopped for nearly 18 years and I have nothing against those who still smoke. It is their freedom of choice. I would hate to be raised by someone with such a biased close minded attitude.

[allenberg]

3 hours ago, mooseman said:

Some studies find drops in accidents where legalization has taken place

 

https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/668812

 

Better they smoke then drink and drive.

From the above link:  "Because alternative mechanisms cannot be ruled out, the negative relationship between legalization and alcohol-related traffic fatalities does not necessarily imply that driving under the influence of marijuana is safer than driving under the influence of alcohol."

[KKr]

39 minutes ago, rhyddid said:

Very well done Thailand, the present government is aiming to help the poor people and all the people to Thailand ! Top kudos to the present Thai Government, well done !

I did not misread your message, but
like to point out that this natural medicine has some characteristics that are imho superior to Fantanyl, Tramadol or other opioids that are proven to be addictive and habit forming. (addiction problems in the USA come to mind) 
i.e. a hash oil user does not become a junkie.

with that in mind, indeed: Very Well Done.

[JingerBen]

1 hour ago, rhyddid said:

Very well done Thailand, the present government is aiming to help the poor people and all the people to Thailand ! Top kudos to the present Thai Government, well done !

Your praise for the government is somewhat premature.

If they really deserve that acclaim will depend on whether or not they can keep big business from monopolizing the trade and and keeping prices artificially high.

The proposed 6-plant per household allowance - if implemented - will be the first step towards real reform for the people who want and need it as medicine and those who have the natural desire to catch a buzz.

The gratifying speed with which things have been moving recently gives some reason for optimism.  In less than two years they've gone from a reefer madness mindset to conditional legalization for medical purposes. 

I've always loved this country - warts and all.

[rech]

On 1/6/2020 at 4:04 PM, bkk6060 said:

I hate the idea it may eventually be legalized.

How many people died last week in traffic accidents?

Add many more stoned potheads on the roadways the carnage will increase.

Dumb idea.

 

so ridiculous. why talking if you know and understand nothing ?

 

 

 

[VillageIdiot]

7 hours ago, JingerBen said:

Your praise for the government is somewhat premature.

If they really deserve that acclaim will depend on whether or not they can keep big business from monopolizing the trade and and keeping prices artificially high.

The proposed 6-plant per household allowance - if implemented - will be the first step towards real reform for the people who want and need it as medicine and those who have the natural desire to catch a buzz.

The gratifying speed with which things have been moving recently gives some reason for optimism.  In less than two years they've gone from a reefer madness mindset to conditional legalization for medical purposes. 

I've always loved this country - warts and all.

All good points that would be hard to gainsay.

However, there is one glaring omission... government greed and corruption and the possibility - or probability - that ganja will be taxed so heavily that it will be ridiculously expensive.

[geronimo]

On 1/6/2020 at 4:04 PM, bkk6060 said:

I hate the idea it may eventually be legalized.

How many people died last week in traffic accidents?

Add many more stoned potheads on the roadways the carnage will increase.

Dumb idea.

well then, lets just let them carry on drinking and driving .... shall we?

[namatjira]

[revgreen]

I don't understand.. how is this "the first" when there are 2 already open and operating in Bangkok. I've been a patient at one for 2 months now.

[DrTuner]

1 hour ago, revgreen said:

I don't understand.. how is this "the first" when there are 2 already open and operating in Bangkok. I've been a patient at one for 2 months now.

Thailaan first different.

[BBrent]

On 1/6/2020 at 4:04 PM, bkk6060 said:

I hate the idea it may eventually be legalized.

How many people died last week in traffic accidents?

Add many more stoned potheads on the roadways the carnage will increase.

Dumb idea.

Alcohol should also be made illegal according to this logic...