After cannabis was ‘unlocked’ from the law that defined cannabis as a narcotic, groups of people in the agricultural sector took this good opportunity to form “community enterprise groups” in various regions across the country. There are more than a hundred of them registered to legally grow cannabis, including other organizations that applied for the right to grow, both at the educational and medical levels, to be an area to generate income for the farmer group, continuing to the group who transform, extract or blend cannabis to create more diverse benefits. Of course, those who are interested in studying or have ideas to develop cannabis further can study from the growing areas scattered across the country. As for the various growing areas, there are both areas in Bangkok and its vicinity, the northern region, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Phichit, Tak and Lamphun, the northeastern region, including Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Saraburi, Amnat Charoen, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and Sakon Nakhon, and the central region, including Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Uthai Thani. In the southern region, there are Phatthalung, Satun, Krabi, Songkhla and the eastern region, including Prachin Buri, Chonburi and Rayong, are considered community enterprise groups and other types of organizations that have filed for legal cannabis planting licenses with the Food and Drug Administration, Ramkhamhaeng, totaling 104 units. Of course, the benefits of cannabis can be used in a variety of ways, both medically, as an extract in cosmetics or even as part of food. An example can be seen from the “Cannabis Flavor” menu from the restaurant of Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, one of the groups that has been legally licensed to plant cannabis. They have created a menu that uses cannabis leaves as ingredients and turned them into delicious menus. There are many menus to choose from, such as spicy salads, pork neck, basil rice, snacks such as Kik Kak bread or even drinks like Su Cha Ram Rueng, which can be combined into a delicious menu. In addition, there are also examples of products extracted from cannabis, such as skin care cosmetics, construction materials from hemp cores, and woven fabric from hemp fibers. For the public or farmer groups who are interested in planting cannabis, they can apply for legal cannabis planting licenses at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or in other provinces. You can apply for registration at the district agricultural office in your area to receive a certificate. However, farmer groups cannot register as individuals or juristic persons. They must apply for certification under the name of a “community enterprise” as required by law in order to legally grow cannabis.
