Despite the controversy over medical cannabis in Thailand, the country's first-ever marijuana expo was organised last weekend in Buri Ram and was well received by participants. The three-day fair with a 20 million baht investment attracted not only those who have experience in using weed but also people who were sick and wanted to use medical marijuana as well as people from many parts of the country, policemen, soldiers (both in uniform and undercover) as well as foreigners.
On display at the fair was a variety of cannabis, samples of dry flowers and products with cannabis oil as an ingredient like lotions, soaps, massage balm and even strawberry ice cream, which contains only 0.15% cannabis oil. Visitors could touch fresh cannabis leaves, smell dry marijuana flowers and taste the bitter cannabis oil. There was a zone for patients to be diagnosed by doctors before being prescribed medical cannabis. The medical service attracted thousands of people a day.
During the event, politician-turned-sport- mogul and the expo's organiser Newin Chidchob shared with Life his take on medical cannabis and what he sees as the future of it in the country.
Have you ever used marijuana?
No, I have never used marijuana. I don't have any sickness.
Then why are you interested in promoting the free use of cannabis?
I know it has huge benefits. I have tried many ways to find out solutions for problems of people, especially farmers. They have grown various economic crops, but they are still poor or in debt. I look for a plant that has nothing to do with demand and supply imbalance. The plant can be used in many ways including curing sickness, being an ingredient in food and beverages or producing fabrics. Although cannabis has a con side, the rate of addiction is very low. It is less intoxicating than alcohol and cigarettes which are legal. Many countries legalised the use of marijuana and that leads to a new opportunity for farmers to have a chance for higher income. So what stops Thailand? Are we afraid that our people will be free from debts or have a better life to live?
Why are you on the front lines to support the cannabis legalisation?
Three years ago, I learned from many people around me that members of their families who were sick because of cancer, Parkinson's disease, autism, gout and HIV have used cannabis to cure their illness. They have a problem of having access to the use of cannabis. They can't grow the plant nor use it openly. When I learned about them, I also acquired more knowledge including about the use of cannabis in other countries, I realised the plant offers more benefits than harms.
Why do you campaign for it now?
My idea clicked in early 2018 when commercial cannabis licenses for medical and adult use for recreation were issued in California. [In California, adults over 21 years old may possess, consume and cultivate up to six marijuana plants in a locked space or apply for a commercial license if they want to grow more.] The California model is very inspiring. It gives an opportunity for both personal and commercial uses. The market will not be monopolised. Everyone will have access to medical marijuana while the government can have more revenue from taxes, registration and license fees. Within a year, the total of California's marijuana tax-revenue reached more than 10 billion baht. It is a win-win situation.
Aren't you concerned that if marijuana is free to use and plant, it will lead to more social problems?
Social problems? Have you ever seen anyone who uses marijuana and kills people, threatens to take their own or other people's lives or commits crimes? None. But look at ya ba (meth tablets), it is not legalised, but it has created many social problems so far.
I think half of the 100,000 people who visit the expo use marijuana. So far there is no problem. It is only a faulty perception.
What do you hope to see?
I wish the head of the National Council for Peace and Order to invoke Section 44 to decriminalise cannabis because it will benefit people.
What will happen next after the fair is over?
Net proceeds of the event will become a fund. A committee will be set up next month to manage the fund. It will comprise representatives of universities, hospitals and government agencies. The Buri Ram governor will be the chairman. They will promote marijuana cultivation, knowledge and training.
In the future, we will work with the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine to educate village health volunteers about Thai traditional medicine and herbs. The volunteers will pass the knowledge to villagers. We want people in Buri Ram to grow herbal plants including cannabis in their gardens and know how to use them to cure their mild illnesses. It will help reduce the cost of living. We also have plans to make the fair an annual event in the future.
