Thailand has started to supply medical cannabis to …

In Thailand, the state has begun to provide cannabis oil for medical purposes to patients with terminal cancer. In December of last year, the Asian country has approved a law that authorized the research and medical use of cannabis. It is expected that the oil will begin to be used in the treatment of other diseases.

"We already have the team ready.We have six doctors, as well as pharmacists and other professionals trained in the use of cannabis oil for medical purposes," said Chanchai Chanworachakul, director of the public hospital located in Khon Kaen province.

Last week, the Thai government has delivered 4,000 bottles of cannabis oil to twelve hospitals, who will be in charge of the distribution of drugs. Later, local authorities will provide therapeutic cannabis to other hospitals, which will have to open a specific clinic to prescribe this type of medicine.

Spokespersons from the Information Office of the Ministry of Public Health confirmed that in September they will also provide traditional medicines containing cannabis, olive oil and coconut oil.

Cancer patients who wish to receive cannabis oil should have a medical prescription and show that other treatments were insufficient. The oil contains tetrahydrocannabinol or THC (psychoactive component of the plant) and CBD (cannabidiol) and serves relieve pain and mitigate the effects of chemotherapy.

Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's Minister of Public Health, highlighted the benefits of medical cannabis and said that the oil will be provided "through modern and alternative medicines under the control of qualified doctors".

The medical use of cannabis was approved in Parliament at the end of last year. The Thai government, which now leads Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, has made cannabis for medical purposes one of the main goals of a program to boost the agricultural sector.

This measure could make Thailand – where recreational consumption is still banned – a pioneer of the cannabis industry in Asia, a region where marijuana use legislation is very restrictive . However, there are already other countries, such as Malaysia, Laos and the Philippines are trying legalization projects for the medical use of cannabis.