Malaysia has agreed to allow kratom and cannabis cultivation. Initially, the county's cannabis will only be for export; Malaysia still does not permit the use or consumption of cannabis, even if only for medical purposes. However, growing overseas adoption of pro-cannabis policies is having an impact on attitudes, and it is increasingly likely coming legislation will reverse the situation.
Malaysia’s Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister, has agreed to allow kratom and cannabis cultivation for medical purposes.
For more breaking news about legalization, lifestyle, business, and cannabis cultivation, download our free companion cannabis news app.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the cabinet had no objections and instructed his ministry to discuss with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin how best to go about approving the cultivation process.
“This is an excellent development, especially for those working in the medical field. But I would like to reiterate that any endorsement is for medicinal purposes and not for recreational use,” Mr. Zahidi said as quoted by Utusan Malaysia.
Zahidi noted that there was strong overseas demand for kratom and cannabis cultivation due to their medicinal qualities. Due to this, he was confident Cabinet would soon approve their therapeutic use in Malaysia as the local culture was, for the moment, limited for export.
After holding a meeting earlier this month, Malaysia’s Parliamentary Medical Cannabis Caucus said its cabinet’s attention would be on policy issues concerning the development of the hemp, kratom, and cannabis cultivation industry.
The meeting, attended by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, acknowledged that many countries have highly-developed cannabis cultivation industries, including neighboring Thailand.
Earlier, Khairy said his ministry was ready to collaborate with industry players or academia to conduct research on the medical use of cannabis. Theoretically, the medical use of cannabis is not prohibited in Malaysia, but due to a lack of local cannabis cultivation, access to it is complicated.
The president of the Malaysian Medical Association, Dr. Koh Kar Chai, said local experts must now review all available evidence on medical cannabis and its feasibility must be studied and assessed before a decision is made.
“It’s not something that can be decided overnight,” he told The Sun.
Dr. Koh said that apart from scientific evidence, the government must consider cannabis cultivation licensing and regulations and legislation for the responsible sale and consumption of medical cannabis if approved by authorities.
__
(Featured image by Mark Stebnicki via Pexels)
DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.
This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.
First published by Newsweed, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.
Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.
The DEA has postponed a key hearing on the reclassification of cannabis. The hearing was…
A new California Department of Public Health report has come out with recommendations for THC…
Ontario is investing $31 million over the next three years to enhance efforts against illegal…
Frankfurt and Hanover are launching five-year pilot projects for legal, regulated cannabis sales to adults,…
Italy's Regional Administrative Court suspended the Health Ministry's decree labeling CBD as a narcotic, pending…
This November, five U.S. states will vote on measures related to legalizing recreational or medical…