Scientific proof mandatory for medical cannabis approval
Any party with sufficient scientific evidence supporting the medical use of cannabis-based products is welcome to submit a registration application to the Drug Control Authority for approval.
In a written parliamentary reply, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that existing laws governing medicines, poisons, psychotropic substances, and dangerous drugs regulate the importation, sale, supply, and possession of cannabis-based products for medical purposes, subject to compliance with relevant acts.
This includes the possession of products containing dangerous drugs and poisons, including cannabis-based products, provided they comply with the relevant laws.
“If any party possesses sufficient scientific evidence supporting the use of cannabis-based products for human medical treatment, the ministry welcomes them to submit a product registration application to the Drug Control Authority for approval and subsequent market in Malaysia.
“Cannabis and its derivatives are classified as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and as poisons under the Poisons Act 1952.
“If a cannabis-based product is intended for human or veterinary medical purposes, it is also regulated as a drug under the Sale of Drugs Act 1952,” he said in response to Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching).
Dr Kelvin Yii asked the minister if the government plans to approve the use of medical marijuana specifically for medical purposes, as well as the cultivation of hemp as a new source of income for farmers and the nation.
Dzulkefly said these acts and their subsidiary legislations impose control over all activities related to cannabis and its derivatives, covering importation, exportation, possession, cultivation, sale, supply and use.
“The Sale of Drugs Act 1952, through its subsidiary legislation, the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, requires that any drug be registered with the Drug Control Authority before it can be imported, manufactured, sold or supplied in Malaysia.
“Currently, there are no registered cannabis-based products for medical use under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984,” he said.
He said in 2014, a cannabis-based product called Sativex was registered with the Drug Control Authority but was later deregistered in 2017 at the request of its registration holder due to a lack of demand and market interest.
On the issue of cannabis or hemp cultivation, Dzulkefly said cultivating cannabis in Malaysia is strictly prohibited under Section 6B(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“However, this prohibition does not prevent the health minister from granting authorisation to public officials for cannabis cultivation for research, educational, experimental, or medical purposes at a designated location, subject to the terms and conditions set out in the authorisation, as stipulated under Section 6B(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“At present, cannabis cultivation is only permitted for such authorised purposes,” he said.
Source: NST
Category: MJN enews
