Galen research officer Jade See told FMT that recent studies have since validated marijuana, or cannabis and weed, as it is also commonly referred to, as effective in treating cases of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, muscle cramps, epilepsy, weight loss, anxiety disorders, insomnia, nausea, and so forth.
“Research and patient recounts do show medical marijuana as a cost-effective solution that does not lead to addiction, as compared to the majority of drug-based treatments that are opioid-based and more expensive,” she told FMT.
Her remarks add to the growing debate following reports the government is planning to legalise use of the drug for medical purposes.
Malaysia has extremely strict anti-drug laws, as is the case with most Southeast Asian countries.
Little distinction is made between marijuana and hard drugs like cocaine, and drug trafficking is often punishable by death.
Following public outrage over the recent death penalty being handed down to a man convicted of possessing and distributing medicinal cannabis oil here, the Cabinet was reported as having “very briefly” discussed its supposed merits.
It quoted Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar as wanting to lobby support from ministers and holding formal discussions with the public.
Unofficial discussions on rectifying existing legal amendments are believed to have commenced as well, Bloomberg reported.
Jade agreed that the use of marijuana for recreational purposes should still be seen as a crime in Malaysia, but urged the authorities to consider its proven impact in bettering the lives of patients by relieving symptoms of pain and discomfort.
“The use of medical marijuana can change the lives of patients, their families and communities for the better,” she told FMT when met at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on the sidelines of the recently concluded World Cancer Congress.
Charity organisation Hospis CEO Dr Ednin Hamzah, however, said there was no “solid evidence” that medical marijuana had cured cancer despite a number of studies being done on the issue.
“What is the purpose of marijuana in medicine and can it actually reduce the pain and improve the immune system?” he asked when approached by FMT at the same congress, adding that many in the international medical community held the same view.
According to Ednin, studies being conducted around the globe on medical marijuana and its supposed benefits in treatment had yet to be conclusive.
He said the international medical community was too divided over the issue and he urged the government to tread lightly on the matter.
He also pointed out that there were many other medicines that were more effective than marijuana.
Ednin’s view is shared by National Cancer Society of Malaysia medical director Dr M Murallitharan, who previously told FMT it would be a waste of government resources to fund clinical trials and studies to gather local data on the issue, as drugs providing instant relief were available in the market.
Murallitharan too had dismissed suggestions medical marijuana could cure or treat cancer on its own.
However, he disagreed with Ednin that there was inadequate research.
He said current research, although only a small number, showed that medical marijuana helped to alleviate symptoms of pain or nausea brought about by conventional treatment such as chemotherapy or caused by the cancer itself.
Recently, prominent cancer control expert Prof Sanchia Aranda, who is also the outgoing president of the Union for International Cancer Control, urged Malaysia to exercise caution on legalising medical marijuana, saying opening the “floodgates” on this was not a sound idea.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad previously said cannabis oil was still classified as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
He said those found guilty of dealing in or possessing cannabis products would be subject to severe punishment.
His ministry maintains there is no evidence that cannabis oil can be used as medication.
Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, meanwhile, has said medical marijuana could only be used for research, not as alternative medicine.