Hempburger to go? Thai consumer goods firms pile into legal cannabis trade

[webfact]

Hempburger to go? Thai consumer goods firms pile into legal cannabis trade
By Chayut Setboonsarng

Bartenders serve cannabis-mixed sparkling craft soda during the "360 Cannabis & Hemp for the People" expo in Buriram province, Thailand, March 5, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

BANGKOK (Reuters) - If the bets of Thailand's farmed cannabis promoters pay off, Thais could soon be chowing down on hempburgers, washed down with cannabis-derived drinks, before freshening up with shower gel and toothpaste infused with a compound from the plant.

Far from a pipe dream, a wide range of Thai firms are investing in cannabis, seeking to be first movers in a budding multi-billion dollar industry in Asia after Bangkok legalised use of hemp and cannabidiol (CBD), a compound that doesn't create a 'high', in consumer goods earlier this year.

Cosmetics makers, drinks companies and rubber products business are all now investing in developing domestic cannabis farming and products using the plant: importing hemp and derivatives is allowed only for research purposes. Only companies that are majority-owned by Thais can receive licences to use hemp, under government rules.

It's a business that analysts at Prohibition Partners could be worth about $660 million in Thailand alone by 2024 - and about $8.5 billion across Asia. With Thailand having moved quicker than regional peers like Malaysia and Singapore - still debating legalisation - enthusiastic executives are embracing the chance to build a position of strength.

"This is a golden opportunity," said Tan Passakornnatee, chairman of beverage company Ichitan Group Pcl, who has made CBD-infused drinks a centrepiece of his company's strategy.

"Taking top market position will be important for companies because it's rare that a product has, not only national, but global buzz," he said, speaking to Reuters this week in an interview.

To be sure, companies involved and analysts alike agree the path to profitability could be tricky to navigate. Raw materials will be in short supply since there are only a limited number of growers with licences, while the science of extracting compounds may prove another costly hurdle.

"There will be glitches along the way," said Maria Lapiz, head of institutional research at Maybank Kim Eng. "It will not be smooth and (some) will be anticipating earnings that will not come."

Still, Lapiz said, if there are opportunities for export, the farm income growth would boost Thailand's economy.

SIGNATURE PRODUCT?

Thailand has a history of using cannabis in traditional medicine to relieve pain, as well as a condiment, and in 2018 legalised the plant for medical use and research.

Hemp is in demand among consumer goods makers because it is widely considered to be a superfood with health benefits, and has higher concentrations of the non-psychoactive compound CBD, now being researched for various medical applications.

Beverage maker Ichitan is already launching drinks made with terpene, a government-approved compound that is also found in cannabis, in what it says is a move to gain public recognition for products of this kind ahead of regulatory approval for its CBD drinks, expected this year.

In cosmetics, the brand Smooth E, hopes to be the first to have CBD products and expects approval in August.

"We can call it Smooth CBD," said chief executive Sangsuk Pithayanukul, speaking in Bangkok, adding there was potential for CBD shower gel, shampoos and toothpaste under his oral care brand Dentiste.

"Every country has a signature product. Thailand's should be cannabis," he said.

Cannabis plants are displayed at the "360 Cannabis & Hemp for the People" expo in Buriram province, Thailand, March 6, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

'F1 RACE'

Tropical climate, water and tradition makes Thailand suitable for growing cannabis, says Kris Thirakaosal, a former investment banker who now runs Golden Triangle Group.

His company has so far invested 120 million baht ($3.92 million) to build a 500 square metre genetics lab and has even developed its own variety of hemp named Raksa, meaning 'to heal'.

"This is an F1 race," said Thirakaosal, using the motor racing analogy to emphasise the speed and precision needed to stay ahead.

Golden Triangle's chairman, Chatchaval Jiaravanon, is a member of the billionaire family that controls one of the country's largest agro-industrial conglomerates, Charoen Pokphand Group, which also advised Golden Triangle on models for co-op farming.

Elsewhere, rubber maker Sri Trang-Agro Pcl said it expects to grow its first cannabis crop once it has received approval this year, with potential for more than 790 acres of the plant, said Tipwadee Sudwayha, head of investor relations. At an investment of around 100 million baht, she said the cost was not high because the company already owned the land.

Some, like plant-based food company NR Instant Produce Pcl, are choosing to buy existing cannabis operations, rather than start from scratch, counting on the buzz around the use of hemp in food to generate demand.

"It changes the consumer perception when I tell them, 'This is a hempburger'," said chief executive Dan Pathomvanich.

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-12

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[ukrules]

Why would I want 'hemp' in a burger?

 

[Justgrazing]

41 minutes ago, webfact said:

Tropical climate, water and tradition makes Thailand suitable for growing cannabis, says Kris Thirakaosal, a former investment banker who now runs Golden Triangle Group.

 

Should try growing poppies with a name like that .. 

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

To be sure, companies involved and analysts alike agree the path to profitability could be tricky to navigate. Raw materials will be in short supply since there are only a limited number of growers with licences, while the science of extracting compounds may prove another costly hurdle.

To bee shaw' 

Extraction techniques of the compounds are well founded .. it can even be done with butane gas at home but not recommended as it can be a tad dangerous .. 

47 minutes ago, webfact said:

Far from a pipe dream

Bing bong .. like how they've slipped that in there .. 

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand has a history of using cannabis in traditional medicine to relieve pain

Whoop-ee do .. so do a lot of other countries .. and guess what as it grows wild in some countries even animals will partake of it when they ain't feeling to good ( or perhaps even chill after a hard day in the pasture , who knows ? ) .. 

53 minutes ago, webfact said:

This is an F1 race

But without the seeds and the flowers it's a bit like a race car without an engine .. you push it around the track if you want , everyone else getting in on the ganj' revolution will be lapping you .. the amount of ganja and ganj' related products already available on the 'net is way ahead whatever a cbd smoothie can offer you ..  

[Airalee]

The people I know that would eat a “hemp burger” would probably prefer to wash it down with a bong hit of “kind bud” than some shwag derived cbd soda.

Someday, maybe they’ll learn that they’re targeting the wrong market (if they actually want to make money).

Baby steps Thailand...baby steps.

[fangless]

41 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Why would I want 'hemp' in a burger?

 

Don't worry they are only trying to "rope you in"!

[kotsak]

Somehow I got reminded of this funny scene..

 

 

[MasterBaker]

I think there is a huge misunderstanding what the hemp is

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

If the bets of Thailand's farmed cannabis promoters pay off, Thais could soon be chowing down on hempburgers, washed down with cannabis-derived drinks, before freshening up with shower gel and toothpaste infused with a compound from the plant.

I thought this was about oils etc for medicinal usage... now we're getting all these crazy gimmick food/drinks stuff flooding the market?

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, ukrules said:

Why would I want 'hemp' in a burger?

 

I wouldn't but you know Thais and the latest fad.

[Aomelia]

18 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

 

Should try growing poppies with a name like that .. 

To bee shaw' 

Extraction techniques of the compounds are well founded .. it can even be done with butane gas at home but not recommended as it can be a tad dangerous .. 

Bing bong .. like how they've slipped that in there .. 

Whoop-ee do .. so do a lot of other countries .. and guess what as it grows wild in some countries even animals will partake of it when they ain't feeling to good ( or perhaps even chill after a hard day in the pasture , who knows ? ) .. 

But without the seeds and the flowers it's a bit like a race car without an engine .. you push it around the track if you want , everyone else getting in on the ganj' revolution will be lapping you .. the amount of ganja and ganj' related products already available on the 'net is way ahead whatever a cbd smoothie can offer you ..  

it’s a complete joke , Release the Buds 

[JimboB4]

This actually kind of under plays what else the expo was severing. Well even though most of the good stuff was after hours lol. 

[chilli42]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

it's rare that a product has, not only national, but global buzz," he said, speaking to Reuters this week in an interview.

I don’t get all the excitement over these hemp based products.  There is no buzz so what’s the point?  Unless these products are highly regulated for health claims, there will not be sufficient hemp content in them to support/provide health benefits.  The whole thing feels like a consumer products scam.

[champers]

6 minutes ago, chilli42 said:

I don’t get all the excitement over these hemp based products.  There is no buzz so what’s the point?  Unless these products are highly regulated for health claims, there will not be sufficient hemp content in them to support/provide health benefits.  The whole thing feels like a consumer products scam.

Like beer with no alcohol. What's the point?

Edited March 13, 2021 by champers

[AhFarangJa]

41 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I thought this was about oils etc for medicinal usage... now we're getting all these crazy gimmick food/drinks stuff flooding the market?

Same here, I have been patiently waiting for CBD oils to become legal so I can use to treat my arthritis.

[Gandtee]

'Hash browns with that?"????

[AMIA63]

19 hours ago, ukrules said:

Why would I want 'hemp' in a burger?

 

It spells P R O T E I N...

[FarFlungFalang]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Cannabis plants are displayed at the "360 Cannabis & Hemp for the People" expo in Buriram province, Thailand, March 6, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Some nice looking heads on display there so there might be hope yet as it obviously indicates flowers are not illegal.As some have already said baby steps hopefully towards everyone being able to grow without regulation.

[Docno]

Brings a whole new meaning to, "I'll have a Bud" 

[brianthainess]

21 hours ago, fangless said:

21 hours ago, ukrules said:

Why would I want 'hemp' in a burger?

 

Don't worry they are only trying to "rope you in"!

May as well chew on some Denim, I'll get the missus to fry up my old jeans.

[SupermarineS6B]

Honestly... ?  A convicted krak head and his mates now condoning selling fizzy pop with the "cool " image of some kind of Bob Marley twist on it all.....   What's next, LSD smarties for kids ?  All this will do is give licence to more serious drug use which i've seen for years in Thailand, i still remember the Yaa baa days in the early nineties.......   Carnage wasn't the word......  

Just when you think you've seen it all......    

[digger70]

Why all this Cr@p ?     Hemp is This,,,,,                       

 

                                   

[Meat Pie 47]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I thought this was about oils etc for medicinal usage... now we're getting all these crazy gimmick food/drinks stuff flooding the market?

 

[rwill]

Wow, Amazing Thailand, is ahead of everyone on this.  How will the other countries catch up?

[l4ml4m]

free the weed totally !

[ExpatOne]

All of this is great because it’s a step in the right direction. I also understand they are taking this approach so the players can get their sticky hands into every aspect of it before (if) they go into legit legalization.

However, if they want the economy to bounce back as soon as they open the borders for tourists, they need to stop screwing around and just legalize it. Another approach could be to do what California did when they made it medical only but it was pretty much impossible to get denied after seeing a doctor about having trouble sleeping. 
 

On 3/11/2021 at 8:10 AM, webfact said:

Songkran Festival without Water Splashing

BANGKOK, March 10 (TNA) - The operations sub-committee of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) did not support water splashing and the use of talcum powder during the Songkran festival, considering them as posing COVID-19 transmission risks .

As head of the sub-committee, Gen Nattapon Nakpanich, secretary-general of the National Security Council, said his sub-committee would tomorrow discuss disease control measures for the Songkran festival with representatives of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the Culture Ministry and the Public Health Ministry.

The discussion would be thorough before the consideration by the CCSA on March 19, he said.

Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-652437

 

-- © Copyright TNA 2021-03-11

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

[hotchilli]

On 3/12/2021 at 3:52 PM, Airalee said:

The people I know that would eat a “hemp burger” would probably prefer to wash it down with a bong hit of “kind bud” than some shwag derived cbd soda.

Someday, maybe they’ll learn that they’re targeting the wrong market (if they actually want to make money).

Baby steps Thailand...baby steps.

Anyone that I knew/know who would want a "hempburger" or similar I would un-friend in a nano second..

[Freigeist365]

On 3/12/2021 at 4:24 PM, kotsak said:

Somehow I got reminded of this funny scene..

 

 

My favourite Pink Panther scene of all time... Thanks for sharing!

[Freigeist365]

Best, get some specialists in:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzWz3En07og

Edited March 15, 2021 by Freigeist365

[mr mr]

hahahahaha