Thailand: test in sight for domestic cultivation of medical cannabis

A small community in Buri Ram Province has been selected to be the first to be authorized to grow medical cannabis at home as part of a pilot project approved by the Thai Ministry of Health, which is expected to begin early next year.

The project is part of the ministry's initiative to allow Thais to grow cannabis at home for medical purposes. The initiative is led by Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health, who is overseeing the expansion of medical cannabis since its legalization in 2018. The Cannhealth Institute will submit the details of the local cannabis cultivation project to Mr. Anutin for his final approval.

The pilot project involves 10 households in a community near Ban Noen Malai Hospital, in Khu Muang District, Buri Ram Province. Each household would be allowed to grow six cannabis plants in their yard.

«Villagers can grow cannabis at home,» Dr. Kitti noted. «All they need are [sturdy] fences. They must use uncontaminated soil and water for the crop because we only accept high-quality, chemical-free cannabis.».

The project will also require the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as growing cannabis at home is still illegal in Thailand.

«If approved, Buri Ram Province will become the first in the country where people will be able to grow cannabis »at home for medical purposes without facing legal action," he said, declared Dr. Kitti to the Thai media.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health is pushing for amendments to the Kingdom of Thailand’s Narcotics Act to allow people to authorize this practice more broadly.

«The Ministry of Public Health hopes to assess the feasibility of domestic cannabis production through this pilot project,» said Dr. Kitti. «If the results are encouraging, the ministry will expand the project to other provinces.»