3 Southeast Asian countries in the race to legalise medical marijuana.
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:13 pm
Image source:AFP
By A. Azim Idris
9th October 2018
MUCH of Asia is home the world’s toughest drug laws that impose stiff penalties like the mandatory death sentence for trafficking of illicit narcotics.
"And while remaining largely conservative to the idea of legalising the drug for recreational use, some Southeast Asian countries are looking to catch up with their western counterparts in legalising the drug for medical purposes."
Thailand
"At least four agencies agreed that marijuana should be removed from the list of illegal Category 5 drugs."
"Even more interesting is that those who agreed with the proposal said the authorities should allow marijuana to be used for both medical and recreational purposes."
"Currently, Thai law prescribes a five-year jail term and/or a THB100,000 (US$2,800) fine for those caught in possession of marijuana. Consumption, on the other hand, could land the accused in prison for a year and/or a fine of THB20,000 (US$570)."
Malaysia
"Despite its reputation for having a zero-tolerance on drug-trafficking, the nation is the latest in the region to consider legalising medical marijuana."
"Public debate on the drug came in wake of the death sentence handed to a 29-year-old father of one, Muhammad Lukman, who was caught distributing cannabis oil, mostly for cancer patients."
Philippines
"Despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs that claimed the lives of thousands since mid-2016, the Philippines committee on Health in March last year endorsed the use of medical marijuana."
"House Bill 180 prescribes the rules for the proper use of medical marijuana, including the designation of a qualified medical cannabis physician, a medical cannabis patient who shall be issued an identification card, a qualified medical cannabis caregiver and a qualified medical cannabis compassionate centre."
Full https://asiancorrespondent.com/2018/10/ ... marijuana/