PETALING JAYA: A bipartisan caucus of nine MPs will study regulatory issues for the medical usage of marijuana and hemp after the Home Ministry said it is looking into legalisation.

       Heading the bipartisan caucus is Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman who had, during the recent Dewan Rakyat meeting, called for the use of medical marijuana and hemp 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 to ensure 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 group also said the move was in line with efforts to develop the medical marijuana and ketum industries in Malaysia, which could benefit locals as well as the country’s healthcare.

       “The caucus believes that this bipartisan spirit will translate into good policies and strategies that will benefit the people and country,” the statement said.

       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).

       Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said in Parliament recently that the government was looking into the legalisation of medical marijuana.