Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today that commercialization of cannabis for economic benefit would come after the use of medical cannabis has proven to be successful and controllable.
He denied that his Bhumjaithai party had ever talked about liberalizing the use of recreational cannabis or commercialization during election campaigning.
“No party ever talked about the freedom to smoke cannabis as they wish,” said Mr. Anutin as he, however, stressed that his party realizes the positive properties of the plant, which contains CBD (cannabidol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which have been used for medical and scientific purposes. His party has been pushing for the medicinal use of cannabis extracts.
CBD is a chemical compound in marijuana with a variety of uses and benefits. It is a popular natural remedy used for many common ailments, such as for pain relief, reduction of anxiety and depression, alleviating cancer-related symptoms and in reducing acne.
THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the ‘high’ sensation.
The minister said that cannabis has the potential for commercial use in the production of cosmetics and in food processing.
Asked about the idea of allowing each household to plant a maximum of six marijuana plants and whether this can be regulated, Mr. Anutin shot back asking “Why not? We control the sale of liquor, cigarettes and beer? How do we know to take just one pill of paracetamol and not 20 pills at a time?”
“It all depends educating the parents to look after their children properly,” he said.
