KHON KAEN: Police have arrested two women for allegedly growing single cannabis plants at their homes without permission.
Nang Mahasena, 70, and her niece Boonseng Singhern, 48, were arrested by Ubon Ratana police on March 19. The police seized two cannabis plants, each with a height of 140 centimetres and a total weight of 300 grammes.
The two women now face charges for planting and possessing a narcotic drug without permission.
Ms Nang told reporters that police visited her home and asked if a cannabis plant belonged to her. She said it was grown inside her fence so it was hers. Police also asked her: "Don't you know that it is illegal?"
Ms Nang said she was aware of the law but had only one plant and used it to treat her sickness. Ms Boonseng, who lives next door, said she also used the leaves of her one plant for medicinal purposes.
After spending a night in jail, the police released them on bail for 10,000 baht each on Sunday.
The two women joined up with 10 other villagers to take their stories to local media yesterday to seek justice.
"We were only growing one cannabis plant for our own medical treatment. Yet we were arrested and [originally] denied bail. We want justice," said Ms Nang.
Pol Col Direkrit Panreunsaen, the chief of Ubon Ratana police station, said the police were just performing their duty in line with the law.