PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has not raised any objections to the growing of hemp and ketum for medical purposes, says Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

       He said this was an indication that the Cabinet had given the “green light” to the activity and that it was good news for those in the medical field.

       Zahidi said discussions would be conducted on the matter with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, according to a report in Sinar Harian yesterday.

       “I would like to stress that this is not an approval to just consume ketum water (as) it’s for medicinal use only. The public must not be confused over the two,” he added.

       The Padang Besar MP said hemp and ketum were in high demand in the international market and three countries were currently the main producers of hemp.

       “The market is huge, and if Malaysia becomes the fourth, profits can be very high. One acre (0.4ha) of hemp can bring more than RM3,000, so 10 acres (4ha) can bring at least RM30,000,” he said.

       On April 12, the Medical Cannabis Caucus said it held a meeting with Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss policy issues related to the hemp industry, medical cannabis and ketum for use in Malaysia.

       It said the Prime Minister had given a positive response to the issues raised, and that the matter would be further dealt with in a Cabinet meeting.