Preventing Oversight on Medical Cannabis Legislation in Malaysia: Analysis of Risks, Benefits and Regulation Requirements

Abstract

The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) ranked cannabis as the most widely used substance worldwide in 2021. It has been predicted that the use will dramatically increase in the next five years due to an increasing number of countries starting to legalise it for medical purposes. In 1983, Malaysia declared the substance use problem as a national emergency. Since then, the government has taken many steps to establish a ‘country without illicit drugs’. To analyse risks, benefits and regulations of medical cannabis, a narrative review synthesising the findings of literature retrieved from computerised database search was conducted. Increasing evidence shows that legalising cannabis leads to an increased number of people starting to abuse this substance and become dependent on it, including the country that became the first to legalise cannabis. Although there are claims and studies reported that medical cannabis is needed to treat certain diseases, the decision to legalise cannabis in Malaysia needs to carefully weigh the risks and benefits. After all, there are other FDA-approved medicines clinically proven to be safe and effective alternatives that are currently available to treat such diseases. The control of cannabis licensing and selling needs to be taken into serious consideration before deciding on the regulatory status of cannabis. Therefore, the best way to prevent the spike of cannabis abuse in Malaysia is by prohibiting possession, planting, harvesting and processing cannabis, even for personal use. The lack of high-quality clinical trials regarding the benefits and harms of cannabis for medical purposes should also be a major consideration before the decision to legalise cannabis is made.

Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Indonesia from the Human Rights Perspectives: Lessons Learned from Three ASEAN Countries

“…Even though there haven't been any executions since 2017, drug Available online at https://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/index.php/lslr/index judgments, market value forecasts, and even political power. 71 In light of stringent regulations and potential legal consequences, Malaysia appears to be gradually embracing the utilization of medical marijuana for therapeutic intentions.…”

Potential Medical Benefits of Cannabis sativa and Its Controversies

“…C. sativa is more common in high-income countries such as Europe, than in low-and middle-income countries (2). Back in 1957, Malaysia was one of the countries that legalized the use of medical C. sativa, but due to its misuse, Malaysian government declared C. sativa as a national emergency (3). According to the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, C. sativa was listed as one of the most dangerous drugs along with morphine and cocaine (3).…”

“…Back in 1957, Malaysia was one of the countries that legalized the use of medical C. sativa, but due to its misuse, Malaysian government declared C. sativa as a national emergency (3). According to the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, C. sativa was listed as one of the most dangerous drugs along with morphine and cocaine (3). Any C. sativa-related offences with more than 200g may face a mandatory death sentence (3).…”

“…According to the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, C. sativa was listed as one of the most dangerous drugs along with morphine and cocaine (3). Any C. sativa-related offences with more than 200g may face a mandatory death sentence (3). Aside from Malaysia, C. sativa was also previously listed under Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which was categorised as deadly and addictive before being delisted in December 2020 (1).…”

“…The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) predicted that the misuse of C. sativa would increase as more countries start to legalize it (3). There is also an increase in the number of people who are beginning to abuse and become addicted to this substance.…”