Thai government agencies ink deal on CBD, THC production

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) - Thailand's two agencies under the Ministry of Public Health, including the state-run Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) and the Department of Medical Services (DMS), have signed an agreement on their cooperation on the research and production of the Cannabidiol (CBD) and the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that are extracted from locally-grown cannabis for medical purposes. GPO Board Chairman Dr. Sophon Mekthon, GPO Director Dr. Withoon Danwiboon and DMS Director-General Dr Somsak Akhasilp signed the agreement at the Ministry of Public Health on the outskirts of Bangkok on Thursday. Under the agreement GPO and DMS will work together to conduct research and produce CBD and THC that are extracted from locally-grown cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy, cancer and neuropathic pain patients. The GPO director told journalists that Thailand may import CBD, if necessary, for the treatment of epilepsy in child patients who need up to 99 per cent of CBD, while less CBD can be extracted from locally-grown cannabis. Meanwhile, GPO and DMS plan to work together with Maejo University in the Thai North, where cannabis plants will be grown to serve the GPO-DMS projects. (TNA)