BANGKOK: The government has not decided on whether to legalise the use of cannabis for medical purposes in the country, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the government was still waiting for the recommendations of the Health Ministry before deciding on the matter.
“We will wait for the findings. There are issues affecting security,” he told Malaysian reporters at the end of his two-day official visit to Thailand.
He was asked to comment on whether Malaysia would continue or stop the research on the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
Former Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin went on a working visit to Thailand in August last year to access the potential use of cannabis for medical purposes and the legal framework for its medical use.
Khairy said then that the government would study Thailand’s experience to adapt it to the Malaysian context before deciding on the matter.
Thailand is the first country in South-East Asia to legalise the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
Yesterday, Anwar performed Friday prayers at the Islamic Centre of Thailand here.
Together with hundreds of worshippers, he listened to a sermon by Imam Shafie Napakorn who later led the prayers, reported Bernama.
Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
After the prayers, Anwar was seen shaking hands and mingling with members of the congregation.
The Prime Minister also met Muslim leaders and people from the local communities after the Friday prayers.
In his speech, Anwar thanked the Thai government and authorities for forging a good relationship with the Muslims in the kingdom.
Anwar also reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to play an important role in the peace talks that are aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict in southern Thailand.
“I spent a significant amount of time to discuss the issue of southern Thailand with Thai Prime Minister Prayut (Chan-o-cha) so as to resolve the conflict peacefully.
“We were told not to have differences but to create understanding (solving conflict in southern Thailand),” he said.
