ไทย Feasibility Study of Decha’s Cannabis Oil Production at Nikhomkamsoi Hospital, Mukdahan

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of Decha oil production in four aspects including legal, marketing, technical, and financial. Methods: The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with two groups of informants including 1) two experts on Decha oil production from Thai Traditional Medicine and Herbs Development Division, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine on Decha oil production process, and 2) seven staff members in Nikhomkhamsoi Hospital, consisting of hospital director, two pharmacists, one Thai traditional medicine practitioner and three production staff on present production work. The researcher also arranged three rounds of meetings for two pharmacists, one Thai traditional medicine practitioner and three production workers to consider the possibility of producing Decha oil at Nikhomkhamsoi hospital. In addition, the researchers conducted participatory observation at the hospital’s production facility for 2 weeks to collect the time spent on production activities. Results: Decha oil production required initial investment of 687,160 baht from revenue of the hospital. Within 5-year of project operation, a return calculated in net present value was 1.35 million baht with 77% of internal rate of return and payback period of one year 10 months and 28 days. Conclusion: The analysis showed that it was feasible to produce Decha oil in legal, marketing, technical and financial aspects within production capacity and amount of raw materials procured from medical marijuana plantations.