Thailand in 2018 became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize medical marijuana, although many Thais have long used the herb in traditional medicine.

The government is eager to harvest the multi-billion-dollar potential of weed, investing in tech to extract, distill and market cannabis oils.

“Today marks the beginning,” Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said at the launch of the Bangkok clinic.

“We are fighting for the better health of Thai people and fighting for a better economy,” he told AFP, standing next to a marijuana leaf mascot wearing a doctor’s coat.