Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong has asked the Election Commission (EC) to look into Bhumjaithai Party's election campaign promise to "liberalise" marijuana cultivation as it coul mislead the public.
"The party uses the term 'liberalise', which may lead people to think that they will be able to grow marijuana in their gardens without any restriction, which is a misunderstanding," ACM Prajin said yesterday.
ACM Prajin -- who also serves as Justice Minister -- said that he is committed to overseeing the issue because while the cultivation of marijuana for medical and research purposes has been legalised, the plant is still subject to strict controls.
"It seems that some campaign promises of some parties need to be carefully scrutinised," he said, before adding that the EC is duty-bound to ensure that no election laws are breached by parties competing in the election.
Bhumjaithai's spokesman Settapong Malisuwan said the party has made an eight-minute video clip which explains in more detail how looser rules on marijuana cultivation will benefit the local economy.
"We've already studied the policy for a long time," Mr Settapong said, adding the party plans to follow the state of California in the United States with regards to the control, production, and sale of marijuana-based medications.
Mr Setthapong said that if Bhumjaithai becomes a part of a new government after the election, it will take about two years to implement its marijuana-related policies.
Meanwhile, Viroj Sumyai, president of the International Narcotics Control Board, said earlier that it remains to be seen whether the policy can be implemented.
"If Thailand wants to liberalise marijuana cultivation, it must withdraw from the UN-sponsored Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs," Mr Viroj.
"If that happens, Thailand stands to lose many benefits concerning the trade and import of medicines."
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