Thailand Police Transfer 220 Pounds of Confiscated Cannabis to Scientists for Research
Historically, Asian countries have had some of the strictest laws in the world regarding the possession, use, and distribution of cannabis. In many cases, attempting to sell or possess even moderately large amounts of cannabis can result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty—something that seems especially harsh to residents of Western countries, where legal reforms are already underway.
However, according to recent news from Thailand, at least one Asian country is beginning to take its first steps toward cannabis reform.
Strict Laws, but Signs of Change
It’s important to note that Thailand still has extremely strict laws regarding cannabis, including severe penalties for tourists caught possessing or using the plant. However, since the beginning of the year, the country’s authorities have started considering a proposal to legalize cannabis for therapeutic use.
To conduct research into the medicinal properties of cannabis, scientists need material for analysis. Recently, the police formally granted scientists access to about 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of cannabis that had been confiscated from various offenders.
High-Quality Material for Research
Sophon Mekthon, head of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, reported that the police handed over high-quality cannabis (with high THC and other cannabinoid content) to the research team. The goal is to study the plant’s overall therapeutic effects and analyze the properties of extracts containing various active compounds. Mekthon also noted that the batch given to scientists includes several strains and types of cannabis, allowing researchers to compare the effects of different combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes on the human body.
“The Government Pharmaceutical Organization hopes to establish regulated production and distribution of cannabis to provide poor populations with access to effective and affordable medicine that can be easily cultivated in the country’s tropical climate,” Mekthon said in an interview.
It’s worth noting that the country’s laws still strictly prohibit the possession and use of cannabis, even for scientific research. Therefore, it’s unclear whether authorities can guarantee full legal immunity for doctors participating in the study of the plant’s properties.
Possible Legalization for Medical Use
Although it’s unlikely that Thailand’s military government will completely remove cannabis from the list of strictly prohibited substances, it’s possible that at the beginning of the new year, authorities will introduce some exceptions to existing laws to allow limited production and distribution of cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Many officials believe that the country’s parliament will only be able to actively consider formal legalization of medical cannabis after February, when Thailand’s population elects a new civilian government.
As in many other countries that have already implemented reforms, it’s expected that Thailand will legalize the distribution of therapeutic cannabis in forms that do not allow for smoking. In other words, pharmacies will offer capsules, ointments, and vaporizer extracts containing cannabinoids, but not the plant’s buds themselves.
“Therapeutic cannabis will be strictly regulated to prevent its use for recreational purposes,” Sophon Mekthon told the Associated Press.
Thailand: The First Asian Country Ready to Legalize Medical Cannabis?
Given these recent developments, it appears that Thailand may become the first Asian country to fully reform its laws regarding medical cannabis, surpassing the previous “main contender,” Malaysia.
Last Tuesday, the Malaysian government held a brief meeting to discuss the possibility of limited cannabis legalization. However, politicians concluded that the Muslim-majority country needs more time to prepare for the “cultural and economic changes” that such reform would bring.
“Various forms of legalization have already been adopted and tested in practice, both in European countries and in certain regions of the United States,” said Xavier Jayakumar, Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources, during the conference. “Undoubtedly, we need at least a year to prepare the population for the legalization of medical cannabis. People must understand that legalization will allow only therapeutic use of the plant, while strictly punishing its recreational use.”