BANGKOK, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Thai government is set to remove marijuana and kratom from the list of narcotics, paving the way for more effective medical uses.
Kratom is a tropical tree, a Mitragyna speciosa native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain compounds that can have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects.
However, effects of high doses of kratom can include sedation, pain reduction, euphoria and cough suppression.
Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin on Friday signed two agreements in removing two Thai traditional medicines from Category 5 narcotics list.
If marijuana and kratom plants are removed from the narcotics list, their medical properties will benefit Thailand's economy and the future of health science, said Anutin.
Health Minister Anutin also said that the two plants can be used for medical research and be promoted commercially to help reduce imports of medical products.
Justice Minister Somsak said that his ministry will quickly study into legalization of the two plants as they can become of economic use to the country.
A draft bill on marijuana use for medical purposes is being considered by the House of Representatives, said Somsak.
Several public hospitals in Thailand have already opened medical marijuana clinics.
