Thailand to Host the First World Ganja Festival in 2020
It appears that the Thai government, which has recently shown a genuine interest in medical reform, has decided to build on its initial successes in establishing a regional medical cannabis market by announcing the organization of a global cannabis culture festival early next year. The event, called the “World Ganja Festival,” is expected to be organized by the National Association of Scientists of Thailand, along with representatives from the national government and provincial bureaucratic officials.
“Thailand will host a festival of this kind for the first time. We have already started working on a list of potential guests from other countries that have begun or are planning to undertake cannabis reforms in the near future,” said General Charan Kullawanit, who has been appointed as the festival’s Honorary Chairman. “In particular, we can already confirm that delegations from the United States, as well as representatives from China and Japan—countries that are also gradually moving away from strict criminalization of cannabis and its active components—will be present at the exhibition.”
“The main focus of the event will be the exchange of experience among participating countries regarding the regulation of legal cannabis production and sales. Accordingly, the festival will primarily feature various seminars, lectures, and presentations from medical professionals, entrepreneurs, officials, and scientists who are directly involved with cannabis or related legislation,” the general added.
Event Details and Support
According to the National Association of Scientists of Thailand, the festival-conference will officially take place from January 29 to February 2, with support from the Thai Nationalism Protection Foundation, the Association of Journalists and Media Workers of Thailand, and the regional authorities of the Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan provinces. The event itself will be held on a 40-acre site near the Nong Yat Reservoir in Nakhon Phanom province.
A Platform for Scientific Information on Cannabis
Although the festival is still in the planning stages, Thai authorities already believe it will not only be successful but will also become a new international platform for presenting and sharing new information about the therapeutic properties of cannabis and other ways it can be used in various industries. It’s worth noting that while seminars and scientific lectures will occupy most of the event space, there will also be a “traditional” music and entertainment program featuring local talent, as well as contests and competitions in cannabis product design for the future market, with prizes from sponsors.
Overall, government representatives hope that this event will showcase the progress made in cannabis reform to foreign investors and encourage them to return with investments and new business partners.
Background: Cannabis Legalization in Thailand
It’s important to remember that, officially, Thai authorities decided to legalize therapeutic cannabis last year, also passing a bill that created an autonomous program for studying the plant’s therapeutic properties. According to official government statements, the gradual legalization of access to therapeutic cannabis is intended to help stimulate growth in the agricultural sector, make medicinal cannabis extracts more accessible to the poor, and create a regulated market that can successfully compete with underground dealers and cultivators.
In addition, the Thai government has taken a somewhat different approach to increasing access to cannabis-based medicines compared to Western countries. In August, the national government purchased 10,000 bottles of CBD oil made from industrial hemp abroad, which were then distributed evenly among public hospitals and free clinics across the country for free distribution to those in need.