PARLIAMENT | International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said the government should look at the needs of the medical marijuana industry from a larger perspective and review the issue.
In response to a query from Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Independent-Muar) over whether Miti could consider approving the use of hemp or medical marijuana for export, Azmin said although it had been discussed since the Pakatan Harapan administration, the matter needed to be reviewed.
He said that any such policy change would involve several amendments to the (Dangerous Drugs) Act from the Ministry of Health.
"This matter has been discussed, presented in the cabinet and several views have been submitted. We have also engaged with several parties, including academicians and private parties for us to see the potential of this industry.
“However, I have to refer back to the status of this matter, because it also involves several amendments to the Act by the Ministry of Health that have been tabled in previous meetings.
"We have to look from a larger perspective on the needs of this industry to be developed. However, it must follow the letter of the existing law," Azmin said in the winding-up by ministers in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Syed Saddiq, in presenting his question, had earlier referred to progress made on the issue under the Pakatan Harapan administration.
“I think the honourable minister also knows that in February 2020 - before the (Harapan) government collapsed - a study was done by Prof Aisyah (Aisyah Saad Abdul Rahim) from USM and there was a meeting to discuss domestic and export purposes.
"Will the most honourable minister discuss this matter at the cabinet level?" Syed Saddiq asked.
In the Dewan Rakyat on Sept 29, Syed Saddiq, who is president of Parti Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia (Muda), suggested that the government looks into detailed discussions on the approval of cannabis as an alternative treatment.
While comparing this with other countries, including Thailand, he said Malaysia should not lag behind in discussing the study of cannabis use in medicine just because it was considered a sensitive issue.
After the exchange with Azmin, the Muar MP tweeted that his belief was that this is a multi-billion dollar industry which Malaysia must lead, and he urged the government to follow the science and data on the matter. - Mkini
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