By Selangor Journal Staff
PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet had briefly discussed the medicinal value of marijuana in a meeting last week and have started informal talks on amending relevant laws.
This was according to Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar in an interview with Bloomberg in Putrajaya.
“It has already been done in certain countries, and in certain states in America.
“If it is going to be used for medicinal purposes, it can be used. Not for social purposes, for medicinal purposes – yes, it should be allowed to be used.
“My personal view is that if it’s got medicinal value, then it can be a controlled item that can be used by the health ministry for prescription purposes,” he said.
However, Xavier stressed that come whatever may, the health ministry would be the one to have the final say in regards to medicinal marijuana.
On Sept 18, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Government may review the case of Muhammad Lukman who was sentenced to death for possessing, processing and distributing medical marijuana (cannabis oil).
This came after Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, on the day before said that she will be writing an appeal to Attorney General Tommy Thomas in seeking a pardon for Lukman.
The 29-year-old was arrested in Dec 2015 for the possession of 3.1 litres of cannabis oil, 279 grams of compressed cannabis, 1.4kg of substance containing tetrahydrocan nabinol (THC).
On Sept 9, Lukman’s lawyer Farhan Maaruf told The Star that the his client only wanted to assist patients who are suffering from ailments that can be treated by THC, an active ingredient in cannabis.
Today, Malaysia imposes the death penalty for drug trafficking offences including that of illegal cannabis trade.
Under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, individuals caught possessing 200 grams or more of cannabis, will be charged under drug trafficking, which carries the death penalty.
Besides Malaysia, Thailand also seems to be moving towards similar direction, with its Government Pharmaceutical Organization have been reported to persuade its military government to approve studying the drug for medical use.
Currently, Canada is taking the top spot in developing the medical marijuana sector, creating a multibillion dollar industry.
