In Thailand, people can now legally grow cannabis plants in their own homes and resell them, after the authorities in the country decided to legalize the production and sale of cannabis. The amendment came into force on Thursday. LEGALIZED: Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a press conference on the amendment. Photo: Sakchai Lalit / AP – It gives both the people and the state an opportunity to make money on marijuana and hemp, says Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Anutin Charnvirakul. Thai authorities hope the change in the law can further strengthen the country’s agriculture and tourism. The case was first reported by the BBC. The country is the first to drop drug laws in Southeast Asia, where there have traditionally been very strict laws related to drugs and drug use. In an attempt to give production a head start, the authorities are giving away a total of one million cannabis seeds. POT: Up to six potted plants with cannabis per household are now allowed in Thailand. Photo: MLADEN ANTONOV / AFP Continued ban on use Even though both production and sales are allowed, it is by no means free in the country for that reason. Personal use of cannabis is constantly prohibited, and sales of products with more than 0.2 percent of the active ingredient THC are also not permitted. – It is still considered criminal, if you do not have a legal prescription. “You have to have a medical basis to be able to use cannabis the way you want,” Kitty Chopaka told CNN. She sells cannabis products in the capital Bangkok. SALE: Kitty Chopaka sells a variety of cannabis products from her store in Bangkok. Photo: ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA / Reuters Production also comes with clear restrictions, and it requires an application to the authorities to be allowed to cultivate at home at all. If granted, each household can grow up to six potted plants with cannabis each. It is expected that people will no longer be punished for possession of marijuana, something the BBC writes could be a measure to reduce the number of inmates in Thai prisons. – The plan is further to release about 4000 prisoners who are in custody for cannabis-related offenses, the Thai authorities write. PLANTATION: The company can apply for a permit to grow cannabis. Then they can produce far larger quantities than households can. Photo: Sakchai Lalit / AP Food and medicine Among those who have already managed to take advantage of the change in the law is the restaurant industry. In several places in Thailand you can now buy food and drinks that contain cannabis or the active ingredient THC. PIZZA: A number of cannabis food and beverage products are now sold in various restaurants around Thailand. Photo: Sakchai Lalit / AP In addition, it will increase the supply of cannabis at various medical clinics in the country. In Thailand, the cannabis plant has already been used for several years to produce the active ingredient CBD, which in turn has been used for treatment. The authorities hope to get a jump start on neighboring countries, and become a leader in CBD products in Southeast Asia. In 2018, Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalize medical use of cannabis.
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Thailand legalizes cannabis production – gives away one million seeds – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
