Recently the Malaysian Health minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin visited Thailand on a study tour to study the practices, cultivation methods, research, and the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
He reiterated that recreational use of cannabis in this country will not be allowed.
Dr Joseph Lee who is a medical research expert and former head of Clinical Research Centre in the Sabah Health Department was asked to comment on the cultivation, research and medical use of cannabis. The use of cannabis for medical purpose had led to much talk, discussion and debate among medical professional, legal fraterny and general public recently .
Dr Lee said that there has been many journal publications to support the effective use of this substance in cancer management, pain management and many more. The concern is that it may be abused once legalised in this country. ” There must be thorough study and establishment of strict guideline for the whole chain of production, processing and use of this product. There must be involvement from various stockholders from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, MOSTI, universities, pharmaceutical company, local council, NGOs and so on to ensure successful implementing of this endeavoir,” Dr Lee who is also a national award winning medical researcher emphasised. Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952 also prevent the use or reseach on such drug and any amendment to the law will require two third vote in Parliament. There are much more work to be done to educate parliamentarians of both divides.
On June 9, Thailand had legalise the cultivation and possession of medical cannabis. Only cannabis with extracts containing no more than 0.2% by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is allowed. Only cannabinoids( CBD) is of medical interest.
Source: online Britannica
Dr Joseph Lee 