Symptoms improved for 70% of patients on cannabis treatment – Health minister

Thailand’s pro-marijuana public health minister boasts that symptoms have improved for at least 70% of the country’s medical cannabis patients. Thailand’s 311 medical cannabis clinics at hospitals have treated more than 14,200 people, most who are diagnosed with terminal cancer, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Other patients using the cannabis treatment are patients with Parkinson’s disease, drug-resistant neuropathic pain and insomnia. The Bangkok Post says 98% of the patients have experienced no “side effects,” but did not report on what is considered a “side effect” of cannabis.

Many cannabis patients have been treated with the THC:CBD (1:1) extract. THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, causes psychoactive effects (gets you high) while CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is being studied for health benefits like treating anxiety and relieving pain.

In a previous report by the Bangkok Post, the National Cancer Institute reported that 14 terminal cancer patients receiving a THC:CBD treatment said their pain was relieved by more than 50%. They also had more appetite, gained waited and slept better after 3 months of treatment, according to a specialist from the Government Pharmaceuticals Organisation.

Anutin has been an advocate for medical cannabis and even planted seedlings at a government grow facility. In a recent training session, Anutin said the ministry will promote the use of medical cannabis to patients who need it.

Department of Medical Services director general Somsak Akksilp says the department is making steady progress in educating health workers on medical cannabis, adding that 11,750 health workers have been trained since 2019.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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