He was responding to a question by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Independent-Muar) on whether marijuana, which is still categorised as a dangerous drug, will be legalised to create new economic opportunities as well as allow parents to use medicinal marijuana to treat children with mental health problems.

Hamzah also said that there are existing platforms in the government to discuss the legalisation of marijuana.

“There is a special platform to discuss this legalisation issue, which is the Cabinet Committee on Combating Drugs (JKMB), which was created by the prime minister in 2004.

“Any matters related to drug control and regulation, which includes marijuana that is still classified as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drug Act 1992, will be discussed in the committee,” Hamzah said.

Syed Saddiq had urged Putrajaya to look into approving hemp and medical marijuana farming in Malaysia, pointing to its economic and health benefits.

The former youth and sports minister told the Dewan Rakyat on Sept 29 that the current hemp and medical marijuana market was worth RM60 billion and was expected to breach the RM400 billion mark in four years’ time.