Thai government mulls to nod for use of marijuana in medical services

BANGKOK, September 21 (TNA) - The Thai government is considering to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes, with a final decision expected to be announced in the near future. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong told journalists on Friday that the issue was proposed by the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and he has, thus, asked ONCB and the Ministry of Public Health to jointly conduct a thorough study on the use of marijuana only in the Thai medical sector, covering its production areas and control system, with the outcome expected to be reported to his desk by early next month. The deputy prime minister and justice minister said he will then hold further discussions with relevant parties based on the study report, prior to his proposal of the issue to Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha for further consideration and a final decision. Earlier, ONCB proposed that the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) resort to its absolute authority based on Article 44 to issue an order on the use of marijuana for medical research projects. The deputy prime minister and justice minister acknowledged that, based on relevant laws, the Thai public health minister is legally authorized to approve the use of marijuana in medical research projects. (TNA)