The Democrat Party defended its decision not to support the cannabis and hemp bill sponsored by the Bhumjaithai Party, arguing that the move was not political but due to concerns the proposed law would encourage the recreational use of cannabis, especially among youths, according to party leader and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives resolved to withdraw the Cannabis and Hemp Bill from its agenda by 198 votes to 136, with 12 abstentions, pending revision of its content.
When asked if the Democrat Party had snubbed the Bhumjaithai Party who sponsored the legislation, Mr Jurin said that the vote against the Cannabis and Hemp Bill was not a political decision as the party's main concern was the dangers of recreational use among youths.
"We are truly concerned about young people using cannabis for recreation," he said.
"The Democrat Party supports the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, but not for recreation. When we saw that the bill had a loophole allowing people to use it for recreational purposes, we needed to put a stop to the bill. It is for the future and safety of our young people. I believe other parties also share similar concerns," said Mr Jurin.
After the House vote, Panthep Phuapongpan, a vocal supporter of cannabis-based medicine and a spokesman of the legislation vetting committee told reporters on Friday that the committee will send a letter to every political party that voted against the bill asking about the issues that concern them.
The committee asked the parties to submit their concerns within seven days after receiving the letter. The committee will hold a meeting on Oct 3 to consider the issues.
"But so far, I don't think we should revise anything regarding the draft law because all the concerns that were debated in the House were also already addressed in the vetting committee.
"The House should not take any chance to delay the bill. The voting on the bill should not be politicised," said Mr Panthep.
Bhumjaithai Party leader and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday that the withdrawal of the bill was a political move.
"The Cannabis and Hemp Bill is needed to help ease the anxiety of people because many still have the perception that cannabis is a narcotic. But cannabis is already delisted from Thailand's Category 5 narcotics list," he said.
When asked if the withdrawal of the cannabis bill will affect those who have already planted cannabis, Mr Anutin said that people can still grow cannabis plants at home but should register them.
"If the House rejects the bill, many will be affected, such as convicts charged with the illegal use of cannabis, physicians who use cannabis for medication and those who own cannabis-related businesses," he said.
He emphasised that the bill does not legalise the recreational use of cannabis as many MPs have suggested, adding that political parties are trying to politicise the bill.
