The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) plans to make kanchong, a type of hemp listed as a narcotic, a cash crop. The move came after initial studies by Narcotics Control Board (NCB) and related agencies showed hemp has potential because of its medical qualities. The ONCB will wait until the three-year project ends on Dec 31 next year, after which it will start talks on commercial plantations. "Personally I think the private sector should be allowed to plant and make use of kanchong," ONCB secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk said. "Hemp extracts can be turned into cosmetic ingredients and its fibre can be used for weaving cloth."

Source: Bangkok Post May 17, 2019 23:37 UTC