KUALA LUMPUR: A study report on the goodness and benefits of cannabis, hemp and ketum (Mitragyna speciosa) will be submitted to the Health Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry as soon as possible to obtain approval to grow these plants for medical purposes, says Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin (pic).
The Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister said the study was conducted by various parties, including the National Poison Centre and a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
He said approval from ministries concerned was necessary to enable large-scale and controlled cultivation as these plants would not only be beneficial for the medical industry but could also be a good source of revenue.
"Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, about 800,000 people have lost their jobs. So, we see a good opportunity for the growing of ketum and hemp, which have a worldwide market value of US$50bil (RM210bil) and US$250bil (RM1.053 trillion), respectively.
"Malaysia has a good opportunity, if we get the government to focus on addressing the people’s problems by allowing the growing of these cash crops that will enable smallholders to be involved.”
Zahidi said this to reporters after officiating at a public forum on "Sustainable Future of Medical Cannabis, Industrial Hemp and Kratom (Ketum) Industry in Malaysia", here, Thursday (Dec 16).
At the news conference, Zahidi also received a memorandum of support for the Malaysian government pertaining to the theme of the forum from the Gerakan Merak group of NGOs.
He said that if the Health and Home Ministries would not approve the proposal, the study report would be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for his perusal.
"There’s no reason for the government not to approve it or we may table a private member’s bill in Parliament next March," he added.
On another development, Zahidi said the Finance Ministry would brief all MPs on the implementation of 5G technology in this country.
On Wednesday (Dec 15), Zahidi asked the Finance Ministry and Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) to explain the issues, claiming that many complaints had been received on this. - Bernama