Bangkok: The Thai government has delivered 4500 bottles of cannabis oil to treat hospital patients, the country's first official use of marijuana for medical purposes since a measure legalising such use took effect this year.

Thailand, which has a tradition of using cannabis to relieve pain and fatigue, legalised marijuana for medical use and research last year to help boost agricultural income.

Thailand's Public Health Minister Anutin Chanvirakul shows off extracted cannabis oil. Credit:AP

Public Health Minister Anutin Chanvirakul presided over the ceremonial handing over of 4500 5-millilitre bottles of extracted cannabis oil from the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation to the Public Health Ministry.