The Thai Medical Sciences Department has developed a kit which can test whether the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis oil and other extracts exceeds the legal limit of 0.2% in just 15 minutes, according to the department’s head, Dr. Supakit Sirilak.

He said that, initially, 15,000 test kits, called “Test Kann”, will be distributed, free of charge, to agencies and other people concerned, adding that the department will transfer the technology to the private sector for commercial production.

He said, however, that even if the test shows a positive result for THC content exceeding 0.2% by weight, additional laboratory tests would be needed to confirm the original result.

If the amount of THC exceeds 0.2%, a purple-red bar will appear at the C position on the test device. If purple-red bars appear in both the C and T positions, it means the level of THC is within the legal limit, said Dr Supakit.

He stressed that the kits are to be regarded as screening tools and the results are inadmissible in legal proceedings, unless they are confirmed in lab tests.

He said that the “Test Kann” kits are convenient, offer quick results and can be used in the field.

Thailand decriminalised cannabis, except for extracts with THC exceeding 0.2%, and hemp, on June 9th, leading to a boom in cultivation, sales and use.