Approval limited to medical use of cannabis
According to recent statements by Zahidi Zainul Abidin - Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia - the Cabinet has agreed to allow the cultivation of the substance for therapeutic use. This consent is good news, especially for medical professionals.
According to a report by Sinar Harian in Utusan Malaysia on 24 April, Zahidi said that discussions had been held with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on how best to approve and implement such a cultivation process.
The Minister also explained that although this was a good step forward, it only concerned the medical use of the plant, while its recreational use remained prohibited.
Indeed, the Cabinet had already announced its desire to legalise medical cannabis in a statement made official on 12 April, after a caucus attended by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Its representatives believe that Malaysia has great potential in the field of medical cannabis and that the country should not miss out on the benefits it could bring.
Moreover, because of its medicinal properties, there is a strong demand for hemp from foreign customers. It is only a matter of time before the Cabinet approves the medical use of cannabis in the country. Currently, local cultivation is limited to export...
Promising future for medical cannabis research
The Minister of Health has said that he plans to work with the cannabis industry and even universities to research the medical use of the plant. In reality, while its use for medicinal purposes is not prohibited in Malaysia, the lack of local production makes it difficult to access. Now, all the evidence and data on medical cannabis and the feasibility of the project are being examined by local experts. Furthermore, it is expected that the government will not only issue licenses but also establish new regulations and legislation to ensure a strict framework for the sale and responsible use of medical cannabis.
