Cannabis growers will be given guidelines: Prajin

“Interested persons should start studying relevant information on how to select cannabis varieties, prepare hothouses and control the temperature,” Justice Minister ACM Prajin Juntong said yesterday. 
He said the Office of Narcotics Control Board, the Public Health Ministry and the Education Ministry would provide farmers with information.
“Contact these authorities for training,” he recommended. 
The National Legislative Assembly is currently deliberating a draft on the legalisation of medical marijuana, and Prajin said he expects the law to go into effect next month.
He said that once the law is introduced, farmers will get an even clearer guideline on where to grow cannabis.
“But as of now, everyone can rest assured that Thailand and its people will benefit from the legalisation of medical marijuana,” he said. 
Civic organisations have recently cried foul after discovering that all cannabis-related patent applications filed with the Intellectual Property Department, so far, had come from foreigners.
Some have wondered whether the authorities’ push for legalisation of medical marijuana is intended to grant monopolies to pharmaceutical companies that are already producing marijuana-based drugs. Thais have not yet had an opportunity to seek patients, because cannabis continues being classified as an illegal drug. 
Prajin insisted that the Commerce Ministry will soon provide clear solutions on the patent issues. 
He pointed out that relevant authorities would also allow the use of marijuana for traditional Thai medicine and for alternative medicine, and not just limit it to modern medicine. 
“Interested manufacturers must seek permits. They must have clear production plans too,” he said. 
According to Prajin, relevant authorities will also strictly control cannabis farming and destroy excess output.