Policy reversal on use of cannabis buds as herbal medicine

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) plans to consult the Ministry of Public Health after Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin issued a ministerial edict on Monday, imposing tighter controls on the use of cannabis buds for medical purposes.

Under the new edict, which will come into force once it is published in the Royal Gazette, cannabis buds will be regarded as controlled herbal medicine. Research, export, distribution or processing of cannabis buds for commercial purpose will require a permit. Use of cannabis buds in outlets and advertising of cannabis buds for commercial purposes through all channels will be prohibited.

ONCB Secretary-General Pol Lt-Gen Phanurat Lukboon said that they have cooperated with several universities in conducting research on the use of cannabis and Kratom leaves since 2019. They discovered that, since cannabis and Kratom plants, which contain psychotropic properties, were removed from the controlled drugs list in 2021-22, the number of cannabis and Kratom users has increased from about 350,000 and 500,000 to about 700,000 and 1.3 million respectively.

As for legitimate cannabis retail outlets, Phanurat said that it is not known yet whether the government or the public health ministry will instigate any measures to help mitigate financial losses if the edict is enforced.