Earlier in December last year, the Thai government made the bold move to amend the country’s Narcotics Bill, allowing the use of medical marijuana in the country. In light of this landmark decision, businesses, as well as institutions, are embracing the benefits of medical marijuana.
According to the Bangkok Post, Thailand’s Rangsit University opened a medical cannabis research centre on Tuesday (7th May) where researchers can help grow and study different strains of marijuana and develop new drugs.
Source: Khaosod English
Rangsit University was the first institution in Thailand that sought permission from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health to study the plant back in 2016. The university also began conducting marijuana studies in collaboration with other institutes, a practice that has continued since 2017. Previously, researchers from this institute developed an oral spray that can be used for pain relief in cancer or multiple sclerosis patients.
Source: Bangkok Post
Now, Rangsit University finally has its own marijuana studies institute, where researchers are allowed to grow their own cannabis plants to develop strains that have high amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), and Cannabinol (CBN) compounds, all of which have a wide range of medical benefits.
50 cannabis plants will reportedly be grown indoors on the fifth floor of the university’s College of Agricultural Innovation Biotechnology and Food.
Source: Bangkok Post
According to Khaosod English, Rangsit University head Arthit Urairat stated that the main objective of the institute is to produce strains of marijuana that are both high quality and affordable. He was quoted as saying,
“If we use a strain that contains only slight amounts of cannabis compounds, the extraction process will be very expensive and take longer amounts of time. We will find the best strain to maximize production and affordable prices.”
However, he did emphasise that this institute was not meant for the mass production of cannabis.
What do you think about this new institute? Let us know in the comments section!
Also read: Thailand is Now The First Country in Southeast Asia to Legalise Medical Marijuana
