CANNABIS-BASED CLINIC OPENS IN CHIANG MAI

It will cure, relieve at least five groups of illnesses, including Parkinson’s, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis

THE first clinic offering treatment using cannabis-based traditional and modern treatment for diseases, including Parkinson’s, was opened here recently.

According to the Bangkok Post, the clinic comprises 39 doctors and four traditional Thai medical practitioners.

On the first day, 22 patients were registered.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said they were confident of curing or relieving at least five groups of illnesses using marijuana extracts.

Speaking at the opening of the clinic at Nakornping Hospital in Mae Rim district here, he said the diseases listed under modern medicine include Parkinson’s, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.

Patients with insomnia, migraine, body pains, neurosis-derived tremors and paralysis are, however, advised to seek traditional treatments provided by the clinic.

Anutin said the clinic would be one of 37 under the fourth phase of cannabis-based medical service expansions in the country.

Earlier this month, he opened the first stand-alone clinic treating patients with marijuanabased medicine in Nonthaburi.

Thailand, which has a tradition of using cannabis to ease pain and fatigue, legalised marijuana for medical use and research in 2017 to promote the use of cannabis-based medications.

The largest producer of medical cannabis in Thailand is the Public Health Ministry’s Government Pharmaceutical Organisation.

Kasetsart University director of medical cannabis research Natakorn Thasnas said the university would supply 2,200kg of cannabis to the ministry.