Cannabis Policy: A Comparative Analysis of Thailand, United States, Canada, German and Israel Canada ,German and Israel

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the policy of medical use of cannabis in Thailand, US, Canada, Germany and Israel, and synthesize policies appropriate for Thailand. Method: This research was a qualitative study by reviewing documents and in-depth interviews with stakeholders of the policy. Content analysis was employed for data analysis according to the policy triangle model. The researchers then developed and summarized the policy recommendations by exchanging with experts. Results: Cannabis prescribing system for medical use was similar in all countries i.e., prescribing by physicians, having registration system for patients by government agencies, often a central unit called the "Cannabis Agency" under the Ministry of Health. Israel, Canada, Germany and more than 50 percent of the states in the United States allowed cannabis use in form of herb. All allowed the use cannabinoids. Some countries limited indications of cannabis. The results of the study and the opinion of the experts were consistent, i.e., agreeing with medical use of cannabis and policy formulation appropriate to the context, allowing cannabis use in Thailand by service providers or for self-treatment, setting up comprehensive systems from production, planting, distribution, use, including advertisement control, preventing monopoly from patents and cannabis abuse. Conclusion: Recommendation from the research were 1. The government should establish Central Cannabis Agency supervising the whole system and supply chain from planting, processing, transportation, distribution and usage. 2. The Ministry of Public Health should have a system of treatment with cannabis appropriate to the Thai context, allowing the use of cannabis in the form of herbs and extracts, having prescription system for both modern medicine and Thai traditional medicine, preventing the abuse and monopoly, and establishing appropriate patenting systems; and 3. Patients should have the right to treatment or access to cannabis, local medicinal plants, which is the basic right of patients, helping reduce drug imports and improving self-reliance of the country.