More than 100 people in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Khon Kaen have reported for treatment of dizziness and nausea after consuming food or drinks thought to contain cannabis
Cannabis and hemp were decriminalised in the country on June 9th.
Cherdchai Ariyanuchitkul, deputy provincial health chief, said yesterday (Friday) that most of the patients suffered only mild symptoms, but one case was suffering psychiatric symptoms.
He said the provincial health office has launched a campaign to educate people in the province about the medical benefits of cannabis and its extracts and the health risks of their recreational use.
He also said that eateries will be urged not to use cannabis in food or drinks, although they are allowed to do so.
In the north-eastern province of Buri Ram, one woman said in her Facebook post that she suffered a headache, nausea and pain in her nostrils after eating a bowl of noodles at a food shop, adding that she suspects cannabis was in the soup.
She suggested that food vendors and owners of food shops display a sign to warn customers if they use cannabis in their products.
Meanwhile, a group has launched a signature collection campaign, on change.org, to urge the Ministry of Public Health to revoke the ministerial regulation, removing cannabis and hemp from the Category 5 drugs list, until the Cannabis and Hemp Bill has been passed by parliament.
The group said they have no intention to stop the controlled use of cannabis and hemp, but want the ministry to wait until the Bill becomes law.
By 1.30pm today, nearly 4,000 people had signed up in support of the campaign.
Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS)