Thailand is planning to legalize medical marijuana and hoping to be the first Asian country to support what its supporters hail as the "world's best," according to an official on Wednesday. If ever, Thailand would be the first Asian country embracing medicinal marijuana wherein the US-based Grand View Research estimated the market of which might reach US$55.8 billion by 2025.
Some nations already embraced and legalized the use of medicinal cannabis, such as Israel, Canada, Australia, and several states in the United States. Now, there's already a draft bill that would permit the limited use of it in Thailand and already sent to the military junta's National Legislative Assembly (NLA).
Jet Sirathraanon, chairman of the NLA's public health committee, said they have already submitted the bill to the speaker and the first reading in the junta's rubber-stamp parliament will be in less than one month. He added that the cannabis is strictly used for medication only - not for recreation.
According to the South China Morning Post, marijuana is still illegal in Thailand, with strict and harsh penalties for drug trafficking although the country is the producer and a key regional transit hub of narcotics. The plan to legalize medical marijuana has been long accepted in the society of the Buddhist-majority country, so junta officials previously raised discussions regarding the need to reform the drug laws.
Sirathraanon noted that Thailand had been delayed far too long in embracing the changes, while countries like Australia and Canada seized the moment - including legalizing exports. He noted the revenue-generating possibilities that revising the laws would provide for Thailand, and also the beneficial effects it could give on patients who are in pain. He also praised the quality of the plant in the country, which specifically strives very well in the Golden Triangle borderlands of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.
Sirathraanon said their pursuit in legalizing medicinal marijuana in Thailand is to give an opportunity to the people as the country has the best marijuana in the world, and experts agree and see the same potential.
Meanwhile, as per Jim Plamondon, VP of Marketing at the Thai Cannabis Corporation, Thailand produces cannabis at a fraction of the cost of Western Growers. The country is planning to be the leading manufacturer, grower, and processor of cannabis products in the world so it can reclaim its cultural legacy in the future.
"Any company that is serious about cannabis should start moving its supply chain to Thailand," Plamondon added.
