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Reuters
Reuters
Health

Thailand starts million-plant cannabis giveaway, but discourages getting high

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attends a campaign to give away 1 million free cannabis plants in Buriram Province, Thailand, June 10, 2022. Thailand Public Health Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

Thailand launched a campaign to give away 1 million free cannabis plants on Friday, a day after decriminalising its growth for commercial purposes, but discouraged people from getting high and warned they could still fall foul of the law.

Thailand legalised medicinal marijuana in 2018 for medical use but is now banking on developing it as a cash crop and building a lucrative local industry.

"Don't use it and sit smiling at home and not get any work done. Those things are not our policies," Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said at the launch in northeastern Buriram province, where the first 1,000 plants were being distributed.

Cannabis plants are seen during a campaign to give away 1 million free cannabis plants in Buriram Province, Thailand, June 10, 2022. Thailand Public Health Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

"We have erased the stigma, it's being washed away like removing a tattoo. Don't let it come back," he said, adding that cannabis should be used to improve health.

On Thursday, cannabis was de-listed from the country's narcotics list, allowing people to grow the plant if they register on a government app.

Authorities are however discouraging its recreational use, while smoking in public could lead to prison and fines.

Prisoners who were serving sentences for cannabis offences are pictured after being released from prison after cannabis was removed from the narcotics list under Thai law, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 9, 2022. Picture taken June 9, 2022. Thailand Corrections Department/Handout via REUTERS

The psychoactive compound in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, is limited to 0.2% in cannabis extracts and products that can be sold in Thailand, which include oils and candy.

Growing cannabis at home requires registration with the government's smartphone application, PlookGanja or "grow ganja".

Anutin said more than 300,000 people had registered with the app, which had millions of downloads from people wanting to learn more about cannabis.

FILE PHOTO: Chopaka shop selling cannabis candies is seen near Asoke intersection, in the heart of Bangkok's main shopping district, Thailand, June 8, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

According to Thailand's corrections department, 3,000 people have been freed from prison after being held on cannabis-related crimes since the law changed this week.

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin Petty)

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