Photographer: Luke Duggleby/Bloomberg

 

By Prim Chuwiruch and Lee J Miller

 

• Large companies hope to make marijuana drinks and food

• Pandemic has hit tourism industry, hurting economic growth

 

As a teenager more than four decades ago, Tan Passakornnatee recalls getting “hooked” on the beef noodle soup at a store near his home in eastern Thailand. Only later did he learn that the broth was laced with a special ingredient -- marijuana.

 

“I felt like a nicotine addict quitting cigarettes because my mind was always on the noodles,” said Tan, now 61 and chairman of beverage producer Ichitan Group Pcl. “And then one day the owners showed me their secret.” These days, Tan is preparing to capitalize on Thailand’s 2019 rules which legalized the use of marijuana for health and research purposes.

 

Tan expects the government to allow it in packaged food in the third quarter, after which Ichitan will launch new cannabis-infused beverages. The Bangkok-based beverage maker’s plans offer a look at how big businesses are hoping to profit from some of the liberal initiatives introduced by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, which could reshape Thailand’s once conservative society.

 

Full story: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-30/big-business-eyes-pot-friendly-food-as-thai-general-liberalizes

 

-- © Copyright Bloomberg 2021-03-31

 

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Load of twaddle

3 hours ago, webfact said:

As a teenager more than four decades ago, Tan Passakornnatee recalls getting “hooked” on the beef noodle soup at a store near his home in eastern Thailand. Only later did he learn that the broth was laced with a special ingredient -- marijuana.

 

Obviously a very savvy and successfull businessman (Oishii, then Ichitan), but doubt the third time will be a charm.

 

Do keep the captain's hat though.

 

 

They are not allowed to use Marihuana that contains THC ( Tetrahydrocannabinol is what makes it ' consciousness enlarging  ) . So it is not more than a spice ... why this hype about it ?

 

13 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

why this hype about it ?

 

Nothing, really.

 

 

 

Wait until the Delta8 craze arrives.

 

 

13 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

why this hype about it ?

The naughty factor sells perhaps?

cannabis has zero addicting qualities.  period.  full stop.  anybody who says different is living in an alternative universe.

 

the story is total BS.

2 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

They are not allowed to use Marihuana that contains THC ( Tetrahydrocannabinol is what makes it ' consciousness enlarging  ) . So it is not more than a spice ... why this hype about it ?

Making money from hype.

More white noise. It's just a free source of advertising for the companies involved. 

They keep showing this carp on the local news (Pattaya) drink stalls, food stalls, even some Thai restaurants, with lines of people queuing up to buy a drink or some food all because it has a bloody hemp leaf chucked in, when will they realise that there is bog all in it that's gonna get them happy ??? 

 

Please, someone please educate these fools.

6 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

They are not allowed to use Marihuana that contains THC ( Tetrahydrocannabinol is what makes it ' consciousness enlarging  ) . So it is not more than a spice ... why this hype about it ?

It's not even a spice, it has totally no flavor it's like mixing water with water and then try to taste the difference .

hope this just moves the overton window enough to make smoking decriminalized or legal

Positively bizzaro.

Touting a future market and claiming it's legal, while still actively, currently and recently imprisoning people for it. Great attempt at having the cake and eating it too. I can see why some foriegn people go mad here, one's sense of humor and appreciation of irony has to be beyond normal functionality.