BANGKOK, Dec 27 (TNA) – The Thai government is pushing
for the removal of marijuana and kratom from the list of narcotics, paving the
way for more effective medical uses.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Justice
Minister Somsak Thepsutin on Friday signed two agreements to join hands in
removing the two Thai traditional medicines from Category 5 narcotics list and
to conduct comprehensive studies on their medical properties and legal issues.
Somsak said if the plants were removed from the narcotics
list, it would benefit the country’s economy with their medical
properties.
They could be promoted commercially to help reduce imports
of medical products, he said.
It was the government’s urgent task to legalise medical and
economic uses of kratom and marijuana that could potentially generate huge
value, added Somsak.
Anutin said the two plants, which are considered as Thai traditional
medicines, would allow farmers who grow the plants to earn more incomes.
A draft bill on marijuana use for medical purposes is being
considered by the House of Representatives.
Several public hospitals have this year opened medical
marijuana clinics.(TNA)
