Khairy Blazes Through Cannabis Garden On Medical Research Trip, No Plans For Recreational Use

By Quinny Tan  •  25 Aug 2022 in News

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The latest update from Khairy Jamaluddin on the legalisation of recreational cannabis in Malaysia is from yesterday, as he clarifies that the government is not looking to passing the law any time soon.

Yet pictures were released on the same day by Bernama, showing our Minister of Health traipsing through a garden of the cannabis plant in Thailand.

Health Minister @Khairykj visits Siam Cannabis Land, Pattaya where he was briefed & visited the greenhouse, indoor & outdoor site to grow different types cannabis. Siam Cannabis Land uses integrated hemp business that develop various health & medical products.

📸 Linda Khoo pic.twitter.com/LH570rKe3x

— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) August 24, 2022

As we all know, Thailand is the first country in Asia to legalise medical cannabis, which has since caused a surge of Malaysians travelling there to get their blaze on.

This also incited recent reports from the Perlis police department, telling citizens of Malaysia to ensure that they do not return home in possession of any form of the plant.

“We don’t have the power to prevent anyone from touring the neighbouring country and taking cannabis there but legal action can be taken under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 if returning with cannabis or under the influence of the drug,” said police chief Datuk Surina Saad.

As for Khairy’s visit, he was seen examining various forms of the plant in Thailand. In one of the pictures, he seems to be sniffing out a product from a jar that looks like a form of paste. The label reads, “Green Scrub” and contains hemp seed extract.

The minister is currently on a four-day working visit to Thailand to assess the potential use of cannabis and ketum – which MoH found to be helpful in preventing cancer – for medical use. This is on the invitation of Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Malaysiakini released a report shortly before these pictures were posted, clarifying that recreational use of cannabis will remain illegal.

“The bilateral visit represents an ideal platform for the health ministry to understand the advances in international research and findings to support the clinical use of cannabis,” said KJ.

According to the statement given, the visit also opens international collaboration opportunities for the private and research entities undertaking clinical studies on cannabis and ketum as they develop medical innovations that will further improve the quality of healthcare in Malaysia.

The Star says that Khairy is also expected to meet the main players of the cannabis and ketum industry in Thailand besides visiting Siam Cannabis Land where he will be able to see indoor and outdoor plantations, greenhouses as well as a drying centre.