Medical cannabis must be decriminalised urgently to save users from the gallows, PKR's Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Jason Ong said.
Responding to positive discussions on the matter between the parliamentary Medical Cannabis Caucus and the prime minister, he noted those using cannabis for health reasons now face the death penalty.
As such, urgent amendments should be made to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (DDA) to ensure the death penalty is not applicable to medical cannabis users and for the use of cannabis for medical purposes to be decriminalised.
Ong also urged for the law to be amended so pharmacies are licenced to sell cannabis to those with prescriptions.
Under the DDA, individuals possessing at least 200g of cannabis are presumed to be trafficking the drug and face the death penalty.
“As a caring government, the needs of its citizens must come first and through these amendments, many innocent lives will be saved from the gallows.
“It is common knowledge that the drug kingpins always manage to evade the authorities, and it is the drug mules and those inconsequential to society who have to face the noose,” the PKR assemblyperson said.
“With a more humane approach towards these scapegoats, the foreseeable result is that cannabis and ketum drug mules will no longer be in demand as there is no death sentence hanging over their heads.”
Potential cash crop
Ong added that normalising the use of medical cannabis does not mean all of society will be cannabis users.
“With the benefits of cannabis and ketum outweighing the negative aspects, this could potentially be the next crop that brings huge economic benefits to the country,” he said.
In an ongoing high-profile case involving medical cannabis, Amiruddin @ Nadarajan Abdullah, 63, is facing charges of distributing 77.84kg of cannabis.
The army veteran, who uses a wheelchair, was caught using cannabis to treat his cancer.
On April 12, the bipartisan Medical Cannabis Caucus said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob responded positively to the discussion which centred on the hemp, medical cannabis and ketum industry.
They also discussed the prosecution of citizens who use cannabis for medical purposes.
“The prime minister responded positively on issues concerning the industry and said it will be discussed in further detail in the cabinet,” the caucus said.
The caucus comprises Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar), Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang), Khalid Abd Samad (Pakatan Harapan-Shah Alam), Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Independent-Kuala Langat), Ignatius Darell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang), Kelvin Yii (Harapan-Bandar Kuching) and Dr Azman Ismail (Harapan-Kuala Kedah).
According to the caucus, the medical cannabis industry makes RM60 billion a year and more than 40 countries, including neighbouring Thailand have legalised its use. - Mkini
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