Thailand opens its first all-cannabis clinic

On Monday, January 6, Thailand opened its first full-time clinic specializing in traditional and alternative cannabis-based medicine. This opening is part of the government’s plan to develop its medical cannabis industry urgently and responsibly.

The opening ceremony took place in the presence of Dr. Ganja, Thailand’s medical cannabis mascot, who had previously accompanied the country’s prime minister during his CBD oil tasting.

Pilot Clinic

«This is a pilot clinic because we don’t have enough doctors who specialize in cannabis,» Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirankul told reporters at the opening ceremony in Bangkok. Patients will receive free treatment for the first two weeks, he added.

Thailand, which has a long tradition of using cannabis to relieve pain and fatigue, legalized medical cannabis in 2018.

There are already about 25 cannabis clinics across the country, but unlike the new one, they are only open a few days a week due to a shortage of specialized staff.

The largest producer of medical cannabis is currently the Government Pharmaceutical Organization of the Ministry of Health. Natakorn Thasnas, director of medical cannabis research at Kasetsart University, has declared that the university would supply 2,200 kg of cannabis to the ministry.

The production, cultivation, and sale of cannabis have been restricted to licensed Thai producers for the next four years in order to protect the domestic industry. Currently, only hospitals and research centers are authorized to apply for licenses to produce and extract cannabis, but the government is reviewing the regulations to allow Thai companies to apply for permits.

A sample of the products dispensed to patients

Legalization has the wind at its back

Thailand has big plans for its medical cannabis industry. Not content with developing a domestic sector shielded from foreign influence, it is also allowing private individuals to participate in the industry. Last year, Thailand removed the cannabis extracts and removed hemp from its list of controlled substances and proposed a bill that would allow every household to grow six cannabis plants. The country also has use one's own cannabis strains, produced by Chiang Mai University using traditional Thai varieties.

The pilot clinic, based at the Ministry of Public Health, expects to see between 200 and 300 patients per day.

Nearly 2,200 patients had registered at the clinic as of March, a health official said. Anutin said there are plans to open 77 clinics across the country, with at least one in each province.