In a written parliamentary reply to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who had asked for the ministry’s position on medical marijuana, Khairy said the laws regulating cannabis in Malaysia – the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, the Poisons Act 1952 and the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 – do not prohibit its medicinal use.

He said that if parties had sufficient scientific evidence to support a product’s usage, taking into account its safety and effectiveness, they could apply to register cannabis products with the Drug Control Authority to be evaluated and approved for marketing in Malaysia.

“Importers must have a licence and import permit under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation, the Poisons Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act,” he said.

“The sale or retail supply for the medical treatment of particular patients must be made by a medical practitioner registered under the Medical Act 1971, or a registered pharmacist with a Type A licence to individuals with prescriptions issued by registered medical practitioners.”

On Twitter, Syed Saddiq commented that he was “really impressed” by the health minister’s response to his question, lauding the ministry’s “data and science-driven decision-making process”.