Farmers Council helps growers, patients register for medical marijuana
The National Farmers Council is assisting farmers and patients register for medical marijuana, which was legalised late last year, so they have a better understanding of their legal rights and opportunities the new legislation offers.
Since the legislation is already in place, the NFC is conducting a road show to educate the public about the issue. The deadline for registration is May 17.
The NFC president Prapat Panyachatiraksa says provincial councils are conducting surveys and gathering relevant documents. He was speaking as part of an awareness campaign held by the NFC in the north-eastern province of Sakhon Nakhon.
“We want people to understand the medical-marijuana development, related government measures and the legal framework.”
According to him, NFC has been pushing for the legalisation of medical marijuana since 2016, as it believes that farmers and patients will be able to produce cannabis-based medicines locally.
“We are against any form of monopoly,” Prapat said. “And we disagree with the free trade of medical marijuana”.
He said the new legislation’s current structure favours large companies and investors, who can purchase agricultural produce cheaply and enjoy huge margins after processing those crops.
“So, we hope control measures will be well in place,” he added.
Prapat said seminars and workshops should also be held to identify good cannabis strains and support good manufacturing standards of medical marijuana.
While Thailand is allowing medical marijuana, cannabis still remains illegal. Possession and use of cannabis are crimes punishable with a jail term. So, possessors, users and growers of cannabis must register with relevant authorities if they are consuming the herb for medical reasons.
SOURCE: The Nation
