Even Thailand is Easing on Marijuana

Cabinet approves hemp farming

Writer: BangkokPost. com
Published: 22/09/2009 at 05:11 PM

The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to set up a committee to promote growing
of hemp as a new economic plant on high land, as proposed by the
National Economic and Social Development Board, deputy government
spokesman Vachara Kannikar said.

Mr Vachara said the NESDB submitted a proposal for planting and growing
hemp on high land from 2009-2013 to the cabinet. The plant was already
being grown by various royal projects aimed at generating supplementary
income for farmers.

The NESDB had concluded that hemp can be used to produce textiles,
food, furniture, health products, and cosmetics.

However, there were limitations on growing hemp since it is categorised
as a No 5 narcotic plant in the form of marijuana.

Therefore, farmers have to grow it secretly, despite the fact that hemp
is an economic plant.

The spokesman said the cabinet agreed to set up a committee to implement
the plan.

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