Over 10,000 offenders and inmates are being released from prisons following the legalization of the plant “Kratom” in Thailand this week.
Somsak Thepsutin, the Justice Minister said the offenders being released, are in 1,083 jails across the country. Legally, these prisoners will be considered as having never committed such an offence.
Kratom, was previously listed as an illegal drug in the Narcotics Act 1979, forbidding all activities including sale, import/export, production, possession and consumption. However, in the new Narcotics Act 2021, Kratom is now legalized and can be sold, produced, possessed and consumed.
The law comes with certain restrictions, such as mixing it with forbidden drugs, sales to minors, pregnant women, sales in certain places like temples, online sale, which are forbidden.
Studies have shown that Kratom leaves contain an important substance called Mitragynine acting on the central nervous system to reduce pain; accordingly, it has been used as a painkiller and mild stimulant. It has been used against chronic symptoms of certain diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, coughing, and a malfunctional digestive system. (NNT)
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