Thailand proposes to legalize self-production of cannabis

Thailand's Bhumjaithai (Thai Pride Party), part of the ruling coalition, has proposed a bill allowing Thais to grow up to 6 cannabis plants per household, less than a year after that the country has legalized it for medical purposes and research purposes.

«The aim is medical use,» said Bhumjaithai party official Supachai Jaisamut. «You'll be able to have it at home for your ailments, but not smoke it on the street.» Jaisamut also believes that the law could be passed within the next six months.

Such a bill would break the Thai government's current monopoly on cannabis production and give traditional doctors the opportunity to treat patients with their own production. The latter have recently obtained the right to prescribe cannabis, Thailand has a strong tradition of cannabis use and traditional medicine.

The new law would create a government body authorized to purchase, extract and export CBD. This organization would also be responsible for overseeing the sale of cannabis plants to licensed businesses, seen as a boon to the development of Thailand's medical cannabis industry.

The Thai government is strongly supporting the development of its medical cannabis industry. A pioneer in Southeast Asia, the country has already already distributed 10,000 bottles of cannabis oil for medical purposes through its Ministry of Public Health. The oil is intended for patients suffering from epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, chronic pain and chemotherapy-related nausea.

Cannabis clinics have also opened. Treatment is guaranteed for patients with Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, among others. Initially, the clinic depended on cannabis supplies from government agencies. August, produced its first batch of CBD oil with low THC content.

The adoption of the Bhumjaithai law would radically change the legal approach to cannabis. Current Thai drug legislation provides for up to 10 years' imprisonment and heavy fines. Thailand has also just get out CBD and low-THC cannabis extracts from the list of narcotics.

Unlike many countries, Thailand is blocking foreign investment in its medical industry. No outside company will be allowed to sell cannabis oil in Thailand for the next five years.

The Bhumjaithai Party is part of a coalition of 19 political parties led by the country's Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha. Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, has identified access to cannabis as one of her central objectives.

Although Thailand was the first country in its region to consider legalizing marijuana, it certainly won't be the last. In Malaysia, where cannabis offences were punishable by death until 2018, the government is said to be in talks to also regulate cannabis for medical purposes.