The Long March to campaign for fewer restrictions on medical marijuana – VIDEO
A new long march, this time to draw attention to fewer limitations on the use of medical marijuana, is setting off from Pichit today in northern Thailand, heading south to Bangkok.
Civic groups will set off on their march on the same day the Thai government’s amnesty on marijuana possession comes to an end.
Thai PBS reports that the march will be led by Mr. Decha Siripat, a pioneer in the medical use of cannabis and president of the Khao Kwan foundation. He will be joined by Dr. Arthit Urairat, former House speaker and rector of Rangsit University.
Dr. Arthit said he would join the march at the starting point at Wachiraphothiyarn monastery, in Po Thalay district of Phichit province, because he wants to support the campaign to have cannabis removed from the Category 5 list of narcotic drugs and recognised as a medicinal herb.
Although cannabis is not a panacea, he said it contains important substances that could save some lives at a low cost, and making it accessible to all people.
He also accused the government and bureaucrats of erecting obstacles to prevent easy access to medicinal cannabis to protect the vested interests of corporations, who wish to monopolise the commercial manufacture of medical cannabis.
Meanwhile, Mr. Prapat Panyachartrak, president of the National Farmers Council and former natural resources and environment minister, said that a special law should be drafted to regulate cannabis, hemp and Krathom (an addictive plant extract in Thailand’s southern provinces).
He said the council had received assurance from some parties that they would support the idea for the special law.
SOURCE: Thai PBS
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