Malaysia aims to learn from Thailand in push for medical use of cannabis

Malaysia is determined to legalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes and has turned to neighboring Thailand for inspiration. In a move to gain valuable insights, the health ministry will meet with their Thai counterparts during a gathering of APEC health ministers next week. Thailand, which is the first Asian nation to decriminalize the cultivation and consumption of cannabis for medical purposes, will showcase its successful implementation of this policy at the meeting.

As a country with a history of using cannabis for medicinal benefits, Thailand’s decision to legalize it in 2018 has served as a model for Malaysia. Their framework for medical cannabis will provide valuable guidance as Malaysia works towards implementing their own. The Malaysian government is eager to adopt similar policies and is exploring ways to incorporate them into their own plans. It is important to note that the cultivation and recreational use of marijuana is still illegal in Malaysia, with possession of more than 200 grams resulting in the death penalty. However, the Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has stated that the import and use of medical marijuana under the supervision of a doctor, and with proper registration and licensing, is allowed. In addition, the government is open to clinical studies on the medical benefits of cannabidiol and plans to start registering such products next year.

While the law minister of Malaysia has not yet commented on this matter, Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who spearheaded the legalization of medical cannabis in his country, predicts that the industry could be worth over $3 billion in the next five years. He also emphasized the economic and medical benefits of such a policy and expressed a desire for other countries to recognize the potential of the cannabis plant. It should be noted that Thailand’s policy on cannabis is strictly limited to medical and health purposes, and does not allow for recreational use. However, there have been some hastily issued laws that have made room for potential recreational use. Malaysia will continue to learn from Thailand’s experiences and work towards a responsible and beneficial implementation of their own cannabis policy.