THE Health Ministry is not opposed to conducting research on medical marijuana, said Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

“I have said this many times. The matter of research into medical marijuana falls under my jurisdiction.

“We will not stand in the way of those who apply for consent with the ministry,” he said at a press conference at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya today.

This follows a recent statement by National Anti-Drugs Agency director-general Zulkifli Abdullah that it is up to the Health Ministry to decide whether or not medical marijuana should be legalised.

Selangor Bersatu’s Mohd Shaid Rosli had also recently urged the state to consider cultivating marijuana plants, saying marijuana can be cultivated in Kuala Selangor for research and export.

Putrajaya had last year hinted it was willing to review laws on marijuana, following the 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. – April 8, 2019.