The Phra Nangklao Hospital, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health, opened its first medical cannabis clinic yesterday.

Dr. Praphon Tangsrikiattikul, an advisor to the public health minister, said today that the Public Health Ministry has been trying to legalize medicinal cannabis to offer an alternative treatment under the supervision of trained medical practitioners.

The clinic will be staffed by six doctors, one dentist, five pharmacists and four nurses, all of whom have completed a training course.  The clinic will provide modern medical treatment, in parallel with traditional medical treatment, to patients suffering nine specific diseases, including stroke, coronary disease, nausea following chemo therapy, muscle weakening, muscle numbness, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and insomnia.

The clinic is open Mondays from 1 pm to 4.30 pm.

Phra Nangklao Hospital treats about 890 patients in the last stages of cancer, stroke and ALS.