LEGALISING medical marijuana will not benefit Malaysia as people are likely to take advantage of it, said the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) director-general.

Zulkifli Abdullah said he does not support marijuana’s legalisation, claiming that countries that have done so for the drug’s recreational use are “regretting it”.

“I just came back from a convention overseas. From what we saw of countries that have legalised marijuana, there are more problems than benefits.

“The rate of addiction has increased. There are more illegal farms,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“There is no good in going that direction. People will take advantage of the legalisation.”

He said this is his personal stand, and that it is up to the Health Ministry to decide whether medical marijuana should be legalised, following proposals by some advocates, including state lawmakers.

To date, no application for marijuana to be considered a medicine has been made to the ministry.

“It has not yet been concluded that marijuana is medicinal. For the time being, it is still considered a drug under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” said Zulkifli.

Selangor Bersatu’s Mohd Shaid Rosli recently urged the state to consider cultivating marijuana plants.

The Jeram assemblyman said marijuana can be cultivated in Kuala Selangor for research and export.

He cited the Dangerous Drugs Act, which allows government departments to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes.

Zulkifli concurred that public officers at universities and the ministry can – with the ministry’s approval – carry out studies on marijuana.

“But for now, there is nothing.”

Another rep who has advocated for medical marijuana to be legalised is Kebun Bunga’s Jason Ong.

Last year, Putrajaya hinted at a willingness to review laws on marijuana, following outcry over the death sentence imposed on Muhammad Lukman Mohamad, a 29-year-old father of one who was convicted of processing, possessing and distributing cannabis oil to sick people.

His case is still pending an appeal.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government could review Lukman’s case, while Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said a proposed law to decriminalise the use of medical marijuana was in the works.

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said he would push for law reforms concerning medical marijuana.

However, no word on the proposed law has been heard since.

Asked about marijuana’s medicinal value, Zulkifli said controlled dosages of heroin and morphine are already used as painkillers.

“They have been certified for use by the Health Ministry. But only certain doctors can prescribe them.” – April 6, 2019.