The Thai National Legislative Assembly’s public health committee promised to pass the proposed amendment to Thailand’s Narcotics Act that would allow marijuana and kratom to be grown for medical and research purposes.
“We will accelerate the deliberation of these amendments so that we can complete them before the end of December. This will be a New Year’s gift for all Thais,” said the chairman of the committee, Dr. Jet Sirathraanon.
According to the committee, they’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the proposed measure from ordinary Thais.
Numerous studies from around the world have shown marijuana to be an effective treatment for patients suffering from pain, muscle stiffness, epilepsy, and chemotherapy.
As for Kratom, the drug has long been used by Thai workers, especially in the south, as a way to boost energy and alertness. It also has been found to be an effective pain reducer in some studies, which could make it a useful alternative to highly addictive opioid painkillers.
According to Jiraporn Thongphong, a leading Thailand criminal attorney with an expertise in drug cases, the rescheduling of cannabis and kratom to a lesser drug schedule that highlights its medical benefits could lead to softening of penalties for low-level marijuana and kratom possession charges.
As of now, marijuana or kratom possession carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 100,000 baht.
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