Thousands register for amnesty

Thousands register for amnesty

Almost 10,000 people have registered with public health agencies to be eligible for the amnesty over marijuana possession. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)
Almost 10,000 people have registered with public health agencies to be eligible for the amnesty over marijuana possession. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)

Almost 10,000 people have registered with public health agencies to be eligible for the amnesty over marijuana possession, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA set the deadline for the registration as May 21.

FDA secretary-general Thares Karasnairaviwong said that as the deadline draws nearer, more people have turned out to register, prompting the Public Health Ministry to add places for registration, including allocating officials to work on registration during the weekend.

He warned the registration is open only for those in possession of marijuana for medical purposes. “This does not mean to give permission for individuals to grow marijuana plants,” Dr Thares told the media.

"People who do not have cannabis extracts should not hasten to buy them just to exploit the amnesty as the use of them must be carefully prescribed by medical practitioners," Dr Thares said.

The FDA on Sunday opened its office to cater to the registration by 300 people from farmer networks and family members who are ill and need marijuana extracts for their treatment after the agency was contacted by the National Farmers Council to assist process.

The FDA secretary-general also urged those in possession of marijuana to register before the deadline comes, saying the process is not complicated.

Those living in Bangkok can register with the FDA and locals in provinces can do so at provincial public health offices.

They must present identification cards, marijuana possession-related documents and medical certificates that indicate their illness, Dr Thares said.

Those who have large amounts of marijuana extracts can take a photo and show them to officers while others need to bring with them marijuana extracts meant for medical treatment to the agencies.

Meanwhile, Daycha Siripatra, founder of the Khaokwan Foundation, has announced a campaign called "Cannabis Walk Thailand," running from May 21-June 9, which asks the government to liberalise cannabis use, by letting medical practitioners and farmers grow cannabis to supply for medical purposes.

Under the campaign, Mr Daycha and supporters will take a 256 kilometre walk from Wat Pah Vachirabhothiyan in Phichit province to Wat Bang Pla Mor in Suphan Buri province.

The group will arrange activities en route.

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