Health Ministry open to clinical trials on medical marijuana, says Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is open to clinical research on the use of marijuana for medical purposes, says Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).

"The Health Ministry welcomes clinical trials to ascertain the quality and efficacy of medical cannabis products in Malaysia, said the Health Minister, adding he had received several proposals for clinical trials.

During his winding-up speech on Budget 2022 in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 17) Khairy also said that present laws on cannabis such as the Control of Drugs and Cosmetic Regulations 1984, Poison Act 195 and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 do not forbid the use of cannabis for medical purposes.

"If there are any parties with adequate scientific evidence who want to use cannabis for medical purposes – taking into account the quality, safety and efficacy aspects – they can apply to the local Drug Control Authority (DCA) for evaluation.

"It will then be registered under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetic Regulations 1984 and can be sold in Malaysia."

Khairy said for now, there was no locally-produced medical cannabis product in Malaysia, but noted that a product named "Sativax" was briefly registered in 2014 under the DCA.

"However, the company that manufactured the product requested for its licence to be rescinded in 2017."

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Independent-Muar) hailed Khairy for being progressive, but said certain laws had to be amended so parents would not be punished for using medical marijuana on their children.

"Once and for all, we can reform the law and ensure parents who use medical cannabis aren't charged in court.

"I hope the minister will be able to sit down with the de facto law minister to ensure these laws are amended," said Syed Saddiq.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had recently said in Parliament that the government was looking into the legalisation of medical marijuana.