PETALING JAYA: Nine MPs from both sides of the divide have formed a caucus to study regulatory issues for the medical usage of marijuana and ketum.

       Heading the bipartisan caucus is Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who, in the recent Dewan Rakyat session, had called for the use of medical marijuana and ketum to be considered.

       “This caucus is a noble bipartisan effort in formulating policies and strategies to study the regulation of the use of ketum and medical cannabis to reduce harm.

       “As part of the initial framework, the caucus will meet with health experts, researchers, industry players, non-governmental organisations as well as ministries involved to gather their views on policy formulation.

       “The caucus will then present the government with a draft proposal that will ensure that patients who require marijuana and ketum for medical treatment can be taken care of under the country’s healthcare system,” the caucus said in a statement.

       The other members of the caucus are Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang), Khalid Samad (PH-Shah Alam), Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Independent-Kuala Langat), Datuk Darell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang), Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching), Dr Azman Ismail (PH-Kuala Kedah), Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS-Sibuti) and Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas).

       Previously, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said in Parliament that the government is looking into the legalisation of medical marijuana.