BANGKOK – Anutin Charnvirakul thinks he has hit on a winning issue for Thailand’s election next month – promoting cannabis farming now that the Southeast Asia nation has legalized medical marijuana.
Campaign posters for his Bhumjaithai (Proud to Be Thai) party, the first major party to advocate its recreational use, feature an oversized green marijuana leaf.
“We know that marijuana doesn’t have any negative effects when somebody consumes it, apart from getting sleepy,” the billionaire-turned-politican told Reuters.
“When we weigh the pros and cons of freeing up this product, we decided to give full support,” Anutin said.
Thailand in December approved marijuana for medical use and research, the first country to do so in a region with some of the world’s toughest drug laws.
Bhumjaithai is one of several small parties vying for attention ahead of March 24, the first general election since a 2014 coup.
Anutin likes the California model where growers are registered and six marijuana plants are permitted per household.
The sale and distribution of pot products would be regulated similar to tobacco in Thailand, with farmers selling their harvest through a government agency, the party says.
“Marijuana will be able to generate additional income to farmers because overseas the price is as high as 70,000 baht ($2,230) per kg,” according to the party’s website. (Reuters)
