Why is medical marijuana a high ranking priority for Thailand's military?

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Why is medical marijuana a high ranking priority for Thailand's military?

17 January 2020

By ABC News

South-East Asia is notorious for its brutal approach to policing drug use and production. But in Thailand change is afoot, as authorities seek to develop a homegrown medical marijuana industry.

It has approved use of cannabis extracts for treatment of a range of illnesses and conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and anxiety.

The Government has promised to open more clinics in greater Bangkok, with patients able to book appointments via a specialised smartphone app.

Front and centre of the Thai Government's campaign to promote medicinal marijuana is its mascot Dr Ganja, an approachable, leaf-headed scientist.

Thailand's strongman Prime Minister, former military general Prayut Chan-o-cha, has personally promoted legal cannabis, recently appearing enjoying a cannabis inhaler alongside Dr Ganja.

So where did this push towards developing Thailand's legal cannabis industry come from, and could it signal further liberalisation of drug use in South-East Asia?

When did the push towards medical marijuana start?

First outlawed in 1935, marijuana has reportedly been a part of traditional Thai medicine and cooking for centuries, mainly used as a versatile form of pain relief.

Thailand legalised medical marijuana in December 2018, making it the first country in South-East Asia to do so.

The military-dominated parliament voted to amend the 1979 Narcotic Act to approve the use of marijuana for medical use and research, calling it a "New Year's gift" to the Thai people.

A dedicated Health Ministry website now provides information to the Thai public about cannabis cultivation, medical research and the legal status of marijuana in the country.

Government agencies, higher education institutions, agricultural producers, social enterprises and medical professionals are now permitted to grow marijuana for medical purposes.

In April last year, Rangsit University in Bangkok launched the country's first medical cannabis research institution.

It is reportedly home to Asia's first "ganja studies" program, which the university says has attracted significant interest.

Possession and trafficking of the drug still attract harsh penalties.

But further slated legal changes could allow people to bring medical cannabis into Thailand and foreigners to hold stakes in commercial cannabis producers of up to 33 per cent.

Foreign cannabis producers are already eyeing the Thai market.

US firm Rafarma Pharmaceuticals recently employed a Thai corporate officer in order to run its "upcoming" Thai operations and create "the most synergy between the company's European and Thai cannabis cultivation operations", it said in a statement.