Thailand opens first clinics offering cannabis oil

Thailand on Monday opened its first full-time clinics prescribing cannabis oil for medical treatment. Around 400 hundred patients, many of them with cancer, received the oil for free at a flagship clinic at the Ministry of Public Health in Nonthaburi. It's another step in the government's legalizing and promoting the licensed medical marijuana products to relieve symptoms of a range of conditions.

For 57-year-old Chamroen Nakurai, who was diagnosed with lymph node cancer two years ago, it's an important day.

Cannabis oil helps lessen the side effects of chemotherapy but she's only been able to get it through illegal underground suppliers. Until now.

"The treatment isn't widely available and the cost is quite high if you visit underground clinics, but this service is free and anyone can access it," she said.

Around 25 similar clinics already operate, since the legislature agreed to amend the country's drug laws, in 2018.

But this one – and another in Bangkok – are the first ones to run full-time. The aim eventually is to open them nationwide, provided results prove that they are effective.

Initially the oil is being used in four forms, for the treatment of conditions such as migraines, insomnia, nausea, numbness and pain.

"Marijuana could be an answer," said Dr. Prasert Mongkolsiri, the director of a public hospital, who helped advise patients on Monday.

"At least the patients' quality of life is improved. At least it can lessen the side effects of the modern chemical-based medicines that they've been taking for 10 or 20 years."

Thailand, well-known for its harsh anti-drug laws, is now eyeing cannabis' economic potential and has established its own production facilities.

A report last year by Prohibition Partners, who claim to be the leading authority on the subject, said Asia's medical cannabis market would be worth around $5.8 billion (USD) by 2024.

The chief architect of this new policy drive - Public Health Minister Anutin Chanvirakul – toured the clinic on Monday and spoke of the benefits regulation would bring to patients' safety.

"Once we have brought it up above ground it will be under certain regulations so we can assure the safety for all patients who consume this cannabis oil extract," he said.

For the time being patients will receive the cannabis oil free, though officials say it is likely that'll change in the future.