KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia may join the ranks of Thailand soon as one of the few countries in Asia to legalise certain uses of cannabis, said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
He said the country is moving towards this direction, and that the government has already spent RM20 million for basic infrastructure that would have been used for hemp cultivation in Bukit Tangga, Kedah.
However, there are stumbling blocks for the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry as the parcel of land, which was initially chosen for this pioneer project, is subject to a lawsuit.
Takiyuddin said it was purchased by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority under a joint venture with the ministry.
But another company has lodged a caveat on the piece of land, which is existing following a decision from the Court of Appeal.
“We are in the process of solving this issue,” Takiyuddin said.
When queried further by Datuk Xavier Jeyakumar (Kuala Langat-Independent) in Parliament as to whether Putrajaya has plans to consider using a different parcel of land for the cultivation of hemp, Takiyuddin answered in the affirmative.
“We are going in that direction. The government spent RM20 million for basic infrastructure on the (piece of) land at Bukit Tangga, but we will find a new place,” Takiyuddin added.
As for the prospect of legalising ketum for medicinal purposes, Takiyuddin said approval is required from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority.
However, he confirmed that Forest Research Institute Malaysia is currently conducting research over the medicinal values of ketum.
Ketum – or its scientific name, Mitragyna speciosa – is a plant in the coffee family historically used in herbal medicine. It is indigenous to several countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. – The Vibes, November 29, 2021
