BANGKOK -- Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has embarked on a four-day working visit to Thailand to gain more insight on the pottential use of cannabis and ketum for medical purposes.
The Health Ministry, in a statement, said the working visit, which began today, was at the invitation of Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul.
Khairy is scheduled to pay a visit to the Government Pharmaceutical Office (GPO) where he will be briefed about the medical cannabis policy in Thailand including the practices, cultivation methods, research and the use of cannabis and ketum for health purposes there.
Thailand, the land of smiles, is the first country in southeast Asia to legalise cannabis and use it for medicinal purposes.
"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.”
Possession of cannabis is punishable with a jail term of up to five years or a fine not exceeding RM20,000 under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 whereas the processing and selling of ketum is prohibited under the Poisons Act 1952.
The ministry also added that the visit will open international collaboration opportunities for private and research entities undertaking clinical studies on cannabis and ketum as they develop medical innovations which will further improve the quality of healthcare in Malaysia.
Khairy is expected to meet the main players of the cannabis and ketum industry in Thailand and will be visiting Siam Cannabis Land, where he will be touring both the indoor and outdoor plantations, greenhouse as well as a drying facility there.
The Malaysian delegation will also visit Bumrungrad International Hospital, which is one of the largest private hospitals in Southeast Asia and also the Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry which provides modern mental healthcare services.
Last month, Khairy said a framework regarding the registration of certain cannabidiol (CBD) products would be announced.
Meanwhile the health ministry said Khairy is also scheduled to attend the APEC High-level meeting on health and economy here on Thursday before returning to Kuala Lumpur. -- BERNAMA