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Import and use of medical marijuana products allowed in Malaysia if legal requirements are met: Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: The import and use of products containing cannabis for medical purposes are allowed in Malaysia provided that they comply with the law, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Mr Khairy said that the current laws – the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Poisons Act 1952 and the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 - do not prohibit the use of products containing cannabis for medicinal purposes.

He was replying to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman who had asked Mr Khairy about Malaysia’s stance on the use of hemp or medical marijuana as an alternative for patients, as has been implemented in many countries and recognised by the international medical community. 

Mr Khairy said  that any product containing cannabis has to be registered with the Drug Control Authority (DCA) as prescribed by the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation 1984.

"Importers must also have a licence and import permit under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation, the Poisons Act as well as the Dangerous Drugs Act.

"The sale or retail supply for medical treatment for selected patients must be carried out by a medical practitioner registered under the Medical Act 1971 or a registered pharmacist with a Type A licence to certain individuals based on prescriptions issued by registered medical practitioners," he added.

 

Malaysia's former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. (File photo: Bernama)

He said that any parties who have sufficient scientific evidence to use cannabis (hemp) for any medicinal purposes can submit an application to register the product to the DCA for evaluation and registration under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation 1984. 

Mr Khairy said that cannabis is also regulated under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and listed under Schedule I of the convention.

This convention seeks to limit the possession, use, trade in, distribution, import, export, manufacture and production of drugs exclusively to medical and scientific purposes.

Taking to Twitter later, Mr Syed Saddiq said that he was “really impressed” with the answer given by Khairy and his team at the ministry.

“Data & science driven decision making process,” he said.

Mr Syed Saddiq, the former youth and sports minister is heading a bipartisan parliamentary caucus that is studying the medical uses of cannabis and the local ketum plant.

The caucus had previously said that it would  look into formulating policies and strategies to study the regulation of the use of ketum and medical cannabis to reduce harm.

The group said their work is in line with efforts to expand the medical marijuana and ketum industries in Malaysia, which they said can benefit the country's healthcare industry as well as locals.

Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin had said in parliament early October that the government was looking into legalising the use of medical marijuana.

Currently, cannabis is listed as a controlled drug under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

 

Source: CNA/rv(ih)

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