MEDICINAL products containing cannabis can be imported and used in Malaysia if they fulfil four conditions pertaining to their importation and registration with the relevant authorities as well as their sale, said the Ministry of Health.

“The product has to be registered with the Drugs Control Authority and the importer has to obtain an import permit and licence under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation 1984, Poisons Act 1952 and Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” said MOH in a written reply to Parliament yesterday.

Furthermore, MOH said, the wholesale trading of products containing cannabis must be carried out by dealers who have a licence to do so under the law.

“The drug can only be sold to a patient by prescription, by a medical practitioner registered under the Medical Act 1971 or a pharmacist with a Type A licence,” said MOH. 

These provisions are already in current laws, said MOH, which means Malaysia does not prohibit the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

These laws are the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Poisons Act 1952 and Sale of Drugs Act 1952.

“(These laws) regulate the sale of cannabis and its products in Malaysia and do not prohibit the use of cannabis for medical treatment.

“Hence if there are any parties that have sufficient scientific proof that hemp can be used safely for medicinal purposes, they may apply to register the product with the Drugs Control Authority,” said the ministry.

MOH also said that cannabis or hemp is controlled under the Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and is listed under the First Schedule. 

“Hence its use is limited to medical and scientific purposes only.”

MOH was responding to the question by Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (Muar-Ind) on the ministry’s position on the use of medicinal marijuana an alternative treatment. – November 9, 2021.