Exploring eight medical cannabis pathways

     The medical cannabis alternative is a pilot project in which the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has collaborated with the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine and Alternative Medicine to promote medical tourism and increase economic value after unlocking the legal marijuana market, which will be selected from areas ready for cultivation in eight provinces, namely Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Chonburi, Samut Songkhram, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, and Phatthalung.

     It will create a cannabis cultivation route as a tourist route for those interested, such as teenagers, cancer survivors, or cancer patients, where they will be able to learn about cannabis and alternative cancer treatments. (It is also in the process of issuing criteria for visiting medical marijuana plantations.)

     Despite the fact that the COVID situation temporarily halted tourism, farmers, community enterprises, and businessmen in the hemp and cannabis industry continued to develop medicinal and commercial hemp and cannabis.

     After the legalization of the cannabis market, cannabis in the medical and wellness industry accounts for over 70% of its total value. The Global Cannabis Report by Prohibition Partners forecasts that the global “Cannabis Market” will continue to grow in 2024, reaching a value of more than US$103 billion, 60% of which is the “Medical Cannabis Market” and 40% is the “Cannabis Market” for recreational purposes.

     Thailand's “Cannabis Market” is expected to expand to $661 million, or more than 21 billion baht, by 2024. Currently, the government has a policy in place to promote cannabis and hemp as “Product Champions” that will generate economic value in three areas: Thai traditional medicine, health products, and medical tourism.