Recent developments in Thailand may have sparked a domino effect in Asia, as Malaysia – where the death penalty still exists for possession of cannabis – starts conversations about legalisation.
This article was originally published via Cannareporter and is republished here with permission.
Malaysia may consider legalising cannabis for medicinal purposes, a Ministry of Health official told Reuters earlier this month.
Neighboring Thailand’s recent cannabis change in policy may well be to thank for the interest in legalising the medical use of cannabis in Malaysia, where the death penalty still applies to anyone possessing more than 200g of cannabis.
The discussion on possible legalisation came after Thai Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, announced that he would meet with his Malaysian counterpart during a meeting of APEC health ministers next week, where Thailand will showcase the outcomes of its programme.
Read more: Thailand becomes first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis
Thailand legalised medicinal cannabis in 2018 and in June, became the first Asian nation to decriminalise cultivation and its consumption in food and drink.
“We are developing our own framework for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and we want to learn from Thailand,” a Malaysian Ministry of Health official told Reuters anonymously.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the Malaysian government welcomed clinical trials for the medical use of cannabidiol (CBD). According to Reuters, the state news agency reported last month that the Ministry of Health intended to start registering some CBD products next year after studying their safety, although approval for cultivation is still a ways off.
The cultivation and recreational use of cannabis is still illegal in Malaysia, with the possession of more than 200g (seven ounces) carrying a mandatory death sentence.
However, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said the import and use of medical cannabis under a doctor’s prescription is permissible if it is registered and licensed with the Drug Control Authority.
Thailand’s extraordinary turnaround
Thailand has radically changed its cannabis policy in recent months, with the Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, investing in the industry for the country’s economic recovery – and has even been seen publicly appearing in cannabis shirts.
Seen as the “main driver of the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal purposes” in his country, the Thai minister estimates that the industry could be worth more than €3bn in five years.
However, the sudden “legalisation” also brought some revolt, with several doctors calling for an immediate end to recreational use in the country.
At a press conference in Bangkok, Anutin revealed his desire to expand the policy to other Asian countries.
“Topics of discussion will be on how to jointly move forward this kind of policy in order to create benefits, economically and medically,” said Anutin, Reuters reported.
“We want everyone to recognise the property of this cannabis plant. The more people are interested in this field, the more development and research (it) will create.”
