Thailand excludes cannabis extracts from the drug list

Thailand provided 10,000 bottles of cannabis oil to patients last month.

Thailand has removed cannabis and its extracts from the list of narcotic drugs, officials said on Monday, reporting recent efforts to help develop marijuana products for medical purposes, EOM reported.

Thailand, which traditionally uses cannabis to relieve pain and fatigue, legalized cannabis herb for medical and research purposes last year to help increase agricultural income.

“The intention is to allow the use of extracts in medicine, cosmetics and foodstuffs and to support cannabis as a cash crop,” Tares Krassanaivong, Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand, told reporters, adding that cannabis seeds and oil are now also legalized.

So far, only hospitals and research institutes have been allowed to apply for licences to develop medical cannabis extracts, but enterprises also see this as an opportunity.

It is expected that by 2024, the cannabis market in Thailand will reach $660 million, according to the data of the analytical company Progression Partners.