KJ welcomes submissions for medical marijuana trials

 

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has called for clinical studies on the use of medical marijuana, saying he wants to base policy on evidence and thus far there have been no full submissions for a clinical trial.

"There has been much discussion of late on the medicinal use of marijuana.

"The Health Ministry has been consistent in practising evidence-based policies. That’s why we have welcomed clinical studies for the use of CBD (cannabidiol) for medicinal purposes," Khairy tweeted today.

He said this can be coordinated by the Institute for Clinical Research under the National Institutes of Health which is part of his ministry.

"So far, there have been no full submissions for a clinical study/trial. Many expressions of interest, talk and social media advocacy.

"The Health Ministry welcomes industry or academia initiated research for the medicinal use of CBD. We are ready to collaborate," he added.

Much discussion of late on medicinal use of marijuana. @KKMPutrajaya has been consistent in practicing evidence-based policies. That’s why we have welcomed clinical studies for the use of CBD for medicinal purposes. This can be coordinated by @ICR_NIH & @ClinicalRsrchMY.

— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) April 6, 2022

Marijuana still controlled substance

Recently he clarified that medical marijuana is still controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - otherwise known as Act 234.

“The Health Ministry never issued a statement that medical marijuana was no longer under the Dangerous Drug Act. Cannabis is still controlled as a dangerous drug under Act 234.

“However, the Health Ministry stated that the existing act - which regulates cannabis and its products in Malaysia namely Act 234, Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366) and Sale of Drugs Act 1952 (Act 368) - does not prevent the import and consumption of products containing cannabis extract for medicinal purposes,” said Khairy in a written parliamentary reply to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

Over the last few years there have been three separate but related issues that were considered as policy changes, but not implemented as new laws.

The first was the issue of the legal status of medical marijuana.

The second was the decriminalisation of small quantities of drug possession so that addicts can be treated as patients instead of criminals, as proposed by former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The third was the removal of the mandatory death penalty as part of the sentencing of those convicted under Act 234. - Mkini