According to Thailand’s Public Health Minister the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is scheduled to open a central clinic soon to prescribe medical cannabis to suffering patients.
The Minister took steps earlier this month to remove cannabis from the nation’s list of controlled substances. Soon households in Thailand will reportedly be able to cultivate cannabis on their properties and sell it to the Thailand government.
It’s a very interesting medical cannabis sourcing model that provides a potentially favorable financial opportunity for Thailand’s citizens.
The success of the model will depend on a number of factors, including how successful the citizens of Thailand are at cultivating quality cannabis. Technology and research can help boost the chances of success.
Below are a few examples of technologies that can be harnessed by cultivators in Thailand to help increase the size and quality of their harvests.
Greenhouses
Cannabis grows naturally in Thailand very well due to the particular climate found in many parts of the country. However, that’s not to say that incorporating the use of controlled environments would not help.
Greenhouses, especially those with retractable roofs, give cultivators the flexibility to both harness the natural climate when conditions are optimal, and keep out things like wind and rain when necessary.
The cost of a greenhouse can vary widely. The more advanced the greenhouses’ features, the more it costs. Some greenhouses will obviously be unaffordable for many citizens in Thailand. Cheaper alternatives without the bells and whistles will likely be more common.
Automated Planting
Planting by hand is common in Thailand, just as it is in many parts of the world. Innovations in technology are helping revolutionize the labor-intensive planting process.
Machines that help automate the planting process are becoming more common in the cannabis industry, and while the technology is likely too expensive currently for average citizens in Thailand, more affordable options are likely on the way in the near future.
Harnessing technology to plant cannabis helps the cultivator put more plants in the ground in a shorter time frame, and the grower can either increase their garden canopy size or spend the time saved on other phases of the cultivation process to boost overall quality.
Harvesting Machinery
Harvesting cannabis is another labor-intensive process that is often done by hand. It’s common for small armies of people with machetes and scissors to complete the harvest process in Thailand and many other countries.
Current cannabis-specific harvesting machinery leaves a lot to be desired in most cases, however, it’s an evolving area of cannabis cultivation technology that is improving over time.
Someday, hopefully sooner than later, quality harvesting technology will be available and affordable to cultivators all over the globe, including in Thailand.
