Malaysia is racing to become the first Asian country to legalise marijuana for medical use. The discussion came up after public outrage over a death penalty handed to a 29-year-old man.
Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources Xavier Jayakumar in an interview on Tuesday (Sept 25) said that the cabinet “very briefly” discussed the medicinal value of marijuana in a meeting last week and has started early and informal talks on amending the relevant laws.
For now, the focus is on overturning a death sentence handed last month to a man convicted of possessing, processing and distributing medicinal marijuana oil.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 93, has said the verdict and law should be reviewed in the country, where Muslims make up more than half of the population.
The Cabinet has reached consensus to remove capital punishment in the man's case, but garnering support for legalising medical marijuana will be "an uphill battle", Dr Xavier said as cited from The Straits Times.
"It will take a bit of encouragement and convincing as far as this topic is concerned," he said at his office.
"My personal view is that if it's got medicinal value, then it can be a controlled item that can be used by the Ministry of Health for prescription purposes."
Canada has taken the lead in developing the medical marijuana sector, creating an industry worth more than US$60 billion (S$82 billion) ahead of legalising marijuana use next month. Germany and a few US states are taking its example.
Sources: Bloomberg, The Straits Times