Moral and social media support pours in for leading medical marijuana researcher

Khao Kwan Foundation president Decha Siripat has been receiving moral and social media support after a combined force of police, military and anti-narcotic officials raided the foundation’s offices in Suphan Buri last Wednesday, seizing about 200 marijuana plants, cannabis oil, dried marijuana seeds and marijuana powder.

Some foundation staff were also held in police custody on charges of illegal possession of narcotics whilst a summons has been issued for Mr. Decha, requiring him to report to police in Suphan Buri to acknowledge a charge of illegal possession of narcotics.

The Khao Kwan Foundation president is currently in Laos on a study tour.

Thai PBS reports that former Thai senator, Rosana Tositrakul, said on her Facebook page that she has known Mr. Decha for over 30 years as a man who has dedicated his life to the development of Thai rice to fend off attempts by agro industry giants to gain a monopoly on Thai rice seed.

She added that Mr. Decha was also a campaigner for the reduction of the dependence on farm chemicals, and as a researcher in the use of marijuana for medical purposes used himself as a guinea pig for the testing of medicinal marijuana.

When it was proven to be safe and effective against certain ailments, he distributed the product to temples for free distribution to patients.

Ms. Rosana said she did not understand why the foundation was raided, despite the fact that marijuana has been removed from the List of Category 5 narcotic drugs, and questioned the motives of the officials, wondering whether the action was to benefit vested interests planning to monopolise the development and commercialisation of marijuana in Thailand.

Jana district hospital director, Dr. Supat Hasuwankit, also says he also suspected some hidden agenda.

“Arjarn Decha is a teacher of local wisdom and a brave leader whom the Public Health Ministry should support.”

Former House speaker and rector of Rangsit University, Dr.Arthit Urairat, joined a chorus of netizens in voicing moral support for Decha, saying that cannabis oil was meant to help sick people and to ease their pain, but the Thai law is obsolete.

SOURCE: Thai PBS