Prove its efficacy and safety first

(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 17, 2018, a marijuana plant is pictured in Vancouver, Canada. - Canadian cannabis producer Aphria on Friday, December 28, 2018 rejected a proposed Can2.8 billion (2.1 billion US) takeover bid by US-based Xanthic Biopharma, calling it hostile and under-valued. Green Growth Brands, a division of Xanthic Biopharma, presented a conditional offer of Can11 per share on December 27, 2018 after markets closed. (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP)

THE Star Online last week reported the Deputy Health Minister of Malaysia’s response to Thailand approving marijuana for medical use and research (tinyurl.com/star-cannabis). Marijuana is also known as cannabis, or ganja in Malay.

Accor­ding to Deputy Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye, pharmaceutical firms wishing to register the drug for such use must provide the required standard information on its quality, efficacy and safety.