BANGKOK: Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) will scale up plantation of medical grade cannabis that will be used to produce hemp seed oil products.
In a statement, the Public Health Ministry said this will include joining hands with 12 community networks and local enterprises to grow and harvest cannabis that meet the GPO’s requirements.
“GPO has been working closely with the Royal Project Foundation and High Land Research and Development Institute (Public Organisation) to produce hemp seed oil products to support and generate income in remote communities,” it said.
To date, there are two hemp seed oil products produced by GPO in the market, namely hemp tea and SIBANNAC Hemp Seed Oil Bedtime Lip Care.
To produce medical grade cannabis, the ministry said GPO has planned to expand its 100 square-metre indoor garden to a new site in Chonburi’s Nong Yai district.
“GPO has also planned to scale up the indoor plantation site in Pathum Thani to 1,000 square metres, which the plantation has scheduled for next year with 5,000 cannabis trees per year and 1,000 kilogrammes for bud and flower yield per year,” it said.
On June 9, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise the cultivation and possession of medical cannabis.
The Thais have a tradition of using cannabis to relieve pain and fatigue. – BERNAMA
