BANGKOK, Jan 29 (TNA) – Thailand has revoked seven
foreign patent applications for the use of marijuana after the country amended its narcotics law to allow medical use and research of marijuana.
Last month, the National Legislative Assembly passed an
amendment of the 1979 Narcotic Act paving the way for medical marijuana.
But the civil society and leading researchers have feared of
legal complications as foreign companies have already filed patent requests
with the Department of Intellectual Property and could blocked Thai
researchers’ access to medical marijuana.
The military government on Monday issued an executive order
to authorise the Department of Intellectual Property to revoke all pending
patent applications involving cannabis out of the concern that foreign
pharmaceutical companies could monopolize the market. 
Commerce Minister Sonthirat Sonthijirawong confirmed on
Tuesday that he had ordered the Department to revoke the patent applications.
The executive order, known as Article 44, will remain in
effect until legislation on medical marijuana comes into force. Patent applications would be accepted under
conditions specified under the new legislation.
Foreign companies who filed patent applications including
Britain’s GW Pharmaceuticals and Japan’s Otsuka Pharmaceutical could appeal the
decision within 60 days, Sonthirat said.(TNA)
