Let’s legalise medical marijuana: Syed Saddiq

KUALA LUMPUR – Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar-Independent) is urging the government to consider legalising the production and sale of hemp and marijuana for medical use. 
 
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, the Muda founder said that the country must have the moral courage to discuss controversial topics such as this openly.
 
Syed Saddiq argued that studies have proven that cigarettes and alcohol are far more dangerous than the cannabis plant. 
 
“I hope the government can table a transparent and sincere working paper driven by science and data on the good and bad of legalising the hemp and medical marijuana industry. 
 
“Studies have shown that cigarettes and alcohol are much more dangerous, yet we don’t have the courage to discuss this with facts and figures,” he said when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in Parliament today.
 
Syed Saddiq said many youth are currently facing mental health issues, including bipolar disorder, and that the use of marijuana can be an alternative treatment to help them overcome their medical problems. 
 
He noted that today, more than 40 countries have legalised medical marijuana, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Denmark and neighbouring Thailand. 
 
The lawmaker said it would also be wise for Malaysia to hop on the bandwagon soon to capitalise on the multi-billion ringgit market, or risk being left behind. 
 
“The industry’s current market worth is about RM60 billion. It is projected to reach RM400 billion in four years’ time. 
 
“We don’t want Malaysia to be left behind again, when other countries have moved forward, and we are only going to do it 10, 20 years from now, when it is already too late. 
 
“We don’t want discussions on this issue to be ignored just because it is sensitive… The 12MP is about planning for the future. There needs to be moral courage to discuss these difficult issues,” he said. 
 
While Malaysia does not recognise the use of marijuana for health reasons, the United Nations had last year removed cannabis from its list of drugs judged to be of little medical benefit, ultimately recognising its medicinal value. – The Vibes, September 29, 2021