Thailand eyes to use cannabis as medication

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Public Health, is conducting a research study on using cannabis as medication for patients, including those suffering from cancer with any allergic reaction against chemotherapy drugs. Public Health Minister Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn told journalists that his ministry will soon set up an official task force to conduct the feasibility study on the use of cannabis as a medication for the allergic patients. Dr. Piyasakol said that the move to set up the task force, expected to be headed by Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) Board Chairman Dr. Sophon Mekthon (โสภณ เมฆธน), followed a recent report, issued by Thailand-based Rangsit University, saying that there have been some signs of progress in its study on using cannabis for the production of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cancer patients with any allergic reaction of chemotherapy drugs. Meanwhile, Dr. Sophon told reporters that GPO board members recently visited Canada and found that Western countries have utilized cannabis extracts for medical purposes. Dr. Sophon noted that the new task force, once set up, will main conduct its research on whether cannabis extracts can be used for the treatment of patients with epilepsy, especially children, and Parkinson's disease. (TNA)