BANGKOK: The Cabinet meeting last week approved the Ministry of Public Health’s draft regulations regarding the use of cannabis and hemp products for private businesses and the general public, paving the way for more rules clear on the use and marketing of ancient narcotic plants.

After their removal from the list of Category 5 narcotics on September 9, 2022, only the extraction of cannabis and hemp with THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol having a concentration greater than 0.2% is still considered a drug. However, the principles of their use and marketing are still unclear.

Dr Surachoke Tangwiwat, Secretary General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said on Friday (Oct 18) that the draft regulations cover the process of applying for production, import, export, sale and possession of products based on cannabis and hemp for private companies. and the general public.

The project expands from the current regulation that only allows government agencies to use these products for medical and research purposes, he said.

Surachoke explained that products containing more than 0.2% THC would be considered drugs, but could still be used for specific purposes. Applicants should apply in the same manner as other Category 5 narcotics.

Products containing less than 0.2% THC would be considered “health products” and would be governed by related laws, such as the Cosmetics Act, the Foods Act or the Herbal Products Act. plants, he said.

The regulation would allow companies producing and selling these products to resume operations without any interruption, provided they already comply with the relevant laws, he added.

The move is in line with the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government’s policy statement in September, which promised that the government would pursue the use of cannabis and hemp for medical and commercial purposes.

The prime minister said the two factories could generate around 200 billion baht in revenue per year for the country.

Thailand will host the Asia International Hemp Expo 2024 from November 27 to 30 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.

The show will feature booths from more than 200 companies, welcome more than 10,000 visitors and generate approximately one billion baht in capital circulation. – The Nation/ANN