BANGKOK – The Narcotics Control Board of Thailand will remove cannabis plants from its list Category 5 narcotics to allow wider use for medicinal purposes, the Thai news agency (TNA) reports.
Permanent Secretary for Public Health Kiarttiphum Wongjit and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)secretary-general Paisan Dankhum said the Narcotics Control Board has resolved to remove leaves, stems, stalks and roots of cannabis plants, including both kancha and kanchong, from the narcotics list.
The removal is to pave the way for more access to use cannabis for medical purposes as well as in textile, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Hemp plants will be promoted as new cash crops.
After the board’s decision, the FDA will propose the draft ministerial regulation to the public health minister to sign, and it will be published in the Royal Gazette and put into effect.
The draft ministerial regulation stipulates that cannabis plants, officially allowed to grow or be extracted in Thailand, will no longer be considered as a Category 5 narcotic.
However, Wongjit said despite the delisting of cannabis, only government agencies and community enterprises who work with the government agencies can grow cannabis and must seek FDA permission.
Recreational use of cannabis is still illegal. – Bernama, November 26, 2020
