Possible legalization of medical cannabis in Malaysia?

After the scandal caused by death sentence handed down to man who distributed cannabis oil three weeks ago, the Malaysian government discussed the possibility of regulating medical cannabis and reviewed the outcome of the trial.

The situation in Malaysia

The Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources, Dr Xavier Jayakumar, announced that the government cabinet had discussed, albeit very briefly, the potential therapeutic virtues of cannabis and begun informal discussions on possible amendments to the law.

The country's drug trafficking laws are extremely severe, punishing narcotics trafficking with the death penalty, and making no distinction between cannabis and so-called hard drugs. Muhammad Lukman Bin Mohamad was sentenced to death by hanging after several liters of cannabis oil were seized from his home. The man was distributing it free of charge to the sick.

The cabinet discussion centered on the trial. Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested that the verdict and the relevant laws be reviewed. At the end of the discussion, the cabinet decided to overturn Muhammad Lukman Bin Mohamad's death sentence, but Dr Xavier warned that reaching a consensus on the legalization of cannabis would be laborious. It would require new laws that clearly distinguish cannabis from other drugs, and its medical use from its recreational use.

He has personally declared himself in favor of the controlled medical use of cannabis: «my personal position is that if [cannabis] has medicinal virtues, then it can be a controlled item that can be used by the Department of Health for prescriptions». The Department of Health, which has sovereignty in this area, expressed skepticism due to a lack of evidence.

The situation in Southeast Asia

Anti-drug laws in the Southeast Asian region are extremely hard and often include death sentences. The war on drugs is often bloody in this region, and in particular in Indonesia, in Bangladesh as well as ton the Philippines where it has resulted in over 4,000 deaths since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power. Nevertheless, some countries are opening up to the possibility of legalizing medical cannabis, and everyone is wondering who will be the first Asian country to take the plunge.

Cannabis manufacturers keep a close eye on Asian movements. Vijay Sappani, CEO of the Canadian company Ela Capital who monitors emerging cannabis markets, is betting on India, Sri Lanka and South Korea. As for Malaysia, he remains sceptical: «If you don't hear it from the people who have the power to make the decision, it's exciting and it's positive, but it's certainly not something that's going to happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow (...) In Malaysia I think it's going to be a slow process».

The first Asian country to legalize cannabis in whole or in part is likely to be Thailand, since oMedical cannabis legalization expected in 2019. The Office of Narcotics Control is currently preparing a report on the pros and cons of legalization, which should be submitted for political debate as early as next week. In the meantime, the police have just transfer 100 kilos of cannabis to the government Pharmaceutical Organization to launch scientific research on the plant.