THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Deadline to register medical marijuana May 19, FDA chief says

Deadline to register medical marijuana May 19, FDA chief says

Individuals and organizations currently in possession of marijuana for medical use are to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the drug before May 19, FDA secretary-general Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong said on Monday.

Doctors and medical professionals who wish to obtain a license to legally prescribe medical marijuana as a treatment must register and undergo training with the Public Heath Ministry or those certified by the ministry, Tares added, 

Registration opened on February 27 and so far 1,053 people have declared possession of medical marijuana and 8,850 others have called the FDA hotline 1556 (press 3) and the Office of The Narcotics Control Board's hotline 1386 (press 3) for more information, Tares said. 

Just before the Songkran holidays, 239 people - most of whom were patients requiring medical marijuana to treat their ailments - declared their possession, he added.

Those needing to use marijuana for medical purposes will not be punished for drug possession if they notify the administration before the May 19 deadline, Tares affirmed, urging such individuals to prepare the related documents (a Thai national ID card, a declaration form, a medical certificate to confirm the need for medical marijuana) as well as the marijuana in their possession (for large quantities, photographs might be sufficient) to present to the FDA in Bangkok or to the respective provincial health offices. 

Medical professionals wishing to legally prescribe medical marijuana must register and undergo training with either of the two currently authorized agencies: doctors, dentists and pharmacists must be trained by the Department Medical of Service while traditional medicinal doctors or folk doctors must be trained by the Department of Thai Traditional And Alternative Medicine, he said.

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