EMBRACING MED MARIJUANA USE
Japan has allowed cannabis-based medicines, while Thailand is reversing its open policy limiting the use of cannabis for medical purposes only. The Japanese parliament recently decided to legalise medicines derived from cannabis, thus allowing use of cannabis-based medical products. In legal terms, cannabis and THC (a psychoactive chemical in cannabis) have been categorised as regulated narcotics. The new law, to be effective within a year, permits medical use, and on the other hand also strengthens Japan’s strict position on recreational use of cannabis by incorporating more harsh punishments than the earlier.
For instance, people caught using or possessing marijuana may have to face seven years imprisonment. Earlier, consuming marijuana was legal, but its possession led to up to five years in prison. As a result, in 2020, out of nearly 750 people arrested for marijuana possession 30 per cent claimed lack of penalty for consumption. Hence, such loopholes have been removed from the new law to maintain the country’s stand against cannabis since 1948. The harsher legal steps are a result of the rise in the consumption of marijuana, particularly among youngsters in Japan.
In Thailand, the government has come back a step from its earlier decision over cannabis. Medical marijuana has been legal since 2018 in Thailand. It also became the first Asian country to decriminalise cannabis by delisting marijuana as a narcotic in June 2022 making it no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products, or to use any parts of the plant to treat illnesses. This change allowed cafes and restaurants to serve cannabis infused food and drinks. However, the condition was that the products should contain less than 0.2 per cent THC. By decriminalising anyone above 20 and not pregnant or breastfeeding was allowed to use cannabis in the residence and food containing its extracts were allowed to be consumed in licensed restaurants.
The policy change resulted in seeing a lucrative cannabis industry catering to Thai citizens and foreign nationals. A large number of cannabis cafes and weed dispensaries were opened at popular tourist destinations in the country. Some cities even organised weed festivals. At the same time, much of the weed on sale was stronger than 0.2 per cent in THC. Thus, 6 months back, the new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the limiting of its use for medical purposes. Accordingly, the health ministry released a Draft Bill limiting cannabis and cannabis-related products limited to medical and health purposes only. The Bill also outlines hefty fines or prison sentences for up to one year for offenders.
Rectifying the policy by going a step back is expected to affect several commercial establishments like cannabis-based food and café businesses. The entire industry of cannabis-based dispensaries, spas, restaurants, cafes and festivals is estimated to be worth over one billion dollars in the next few years. Hence there is some opposition to the government’s decision. Hence, the government sought public opinion on the draft. However, by the time this article is being written the government appears to be determined to go ahead with its decision.
Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids and of them two are clinically most relevant. They are considered as beneficial treatment options in epilepsy, chronic pain and for sleep in cancer. But as per the Global Burden of Diseases 2019 study, cannabis consumption ranks third worldwide among consumed substances of misuse.
However, countries are coming forward to allow the use of cannabis for medical products. Thailand has done it, followed by South Korea and now Japan. In India, a company has introduced a first line of clinically trialled medical cannabis products. In Malaysia, 81 per cent of the population and 74 per cent of doctors support medical cannabis, as per a survey. Thus, cannabis medicines is an emerging market and Prohibition Partners estimate that it could be worth $5.98 billion this year in Asia. However, as experts suggest, this needs to be supported by clinical trials.