A little info on Thailand's first indoor grow from the top of this thread. They are using LED lighting which is good news. The have sourced the seeds from Spain growing 3 strains(varitels) based on thc/cbd levels. Looking at weed menus in Spain is a pain. Each store has a small selection and little information beyond that. Pay money, join their club,etc. Anyway here is a link to legal club in Madrid where you can view their menu.
https://weedmaps.com/dispensaries/paraiso-javea From the Bangkok Post: The cannabis seedlings in the GPO's plantation are not local varieties. The GPO imports the seeds from Spain.
"It doesn't mean that local breeds are not good, but the cannabis seeds from Spain are already graded and have passed the process of improving plant cultivars. The seeds have the quality that we need," said Vichien Keeratinijakal, a herb expert for the GPO project.
Only female flowers are used for oil extract.
The quality refers to the amount of two main compounds, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The two chemical compounds, out of 400 components found in cannabis, are popularly used in modern medicines. THC can ease pain and nausea, reduce inflammation and act as an antioxidant. It can also make people high. CBD can reduce anxiety, spasticity, pain and sleeplessness. It can also counteract the high caused by THC.
The GPO has selected three cannabis varieties. The first group is plants that are high in THC and low in CBD. The second is plants that are high in CBD and low in THC. Third is plants with the same levels of THC and CBD.
"It is important to research the three varieties because the oil extracts will be used for different sicknesses," said FDA Secretary-General Tharet Karatnaiyarawiwong.
The Department of Medical Service will conduct clinical research while a committee will be set up to select patients for clinical treatment. They will be those who are diagnosed with epilepsy and chronic illnesses like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis (MS) and late-stage cancer, as well as cancer patients who have nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.
Within the next four months, the GPO expects to produce 25kg of dried sensimilla or seedless cannabis flowers. In July, it plans to produce 2,500 bottles of cannabis oil extract, with about 5cc-10cc per bottle. Within the first 12 months, there will be 100kg of raw materials. The produce will help reduce the cost of imported cannabis.
"The cost of dry cannabis flowers starts at 150,000 baht per kilo. If the GPO can produce 100kg a year, it can break even within the first year," said Vichien.
The next step
Local herbalist Banthoon Niyamabha, better known as Lung Tu, treats cancer patients using oil extracted from cannabis. He claims to have been using local weed on his patients for decades.
"I am more than happy that what I have done for decades is now legal. My medicine works well on cancer patients," he said. He believes that, while it is good that the GPO is producing medical grade cannabis, typical cannabis can be used for medicine too.
The plants are grown under LED lights.
Next year, the GPO will invest 164 million baht on its second phase. It will renovate a rooftop of another building for a second plantation. This will be 10 times larger than the present facility at 1,000m². The second farm is expected to produce up to 700kg a year.
Soon the GPO will employ another growing technique, known as plant tissue culture, to ensure future plants have the same genetics as the original plants, according to Dr Withoon.
"It is like cloning the plants to have exact copies of the originals. We want every lot that we produce to have the same levels of THC and CBD," he said.
In 2021, the GPO plans to launch its third phase with a billion baht investment in its herbal complex in Nong Yai district, Chon Buri.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/sp ... ake-a-leaf
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