Government pushes amnesty for marijuana possession campaign

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Bangkok – Public relations campaigns have been launched to inform the general public that marijuana can only be used for medical purposes. Meanwhile, a committee has been set up to consider a request for each household to be allowed to grow no more than six marijuana plants.

The Justice Minister, ACM Prajin Juntong, chaired the second round of a meeting with a committee looking at the medical benefits of marijuana. He insisted that marijuana, particularly the 16 cannabis-based medicines, can only be used for medical purpose. He said the committee is focusing on three groups of people, including patients, medical practitioners, and those who benefit from the use of cannabis. The law gives those who possess marijuana for medical purposes a 90-day amnesty period, which expires on May 19.

The Ministry of Public Health has launched a campaign to notify individuals who possess marijuana to report to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before May 19. The ministry has set up a “One Stop Service” center to facilitate them. So far, 5,000 people have reported to the FDA.

On the call for each household to be allowed to grow no more than six marijuana plants, the government has set up a committee to look into the issue on a national level. The government has reiterated that cannabis is still illegal in Thailand.