BANGKOK: Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is on a four-day working visit to Asia to assess the possible use of cannabis plus ketum for medical purposes and the legal framework for its medical use.
The Ministry said the working visit, which usually started on Mon (Aug 22), had been at the invitation of Thailand’s Deputy Best Minister and Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul.
Khairy is planned to pay a visit to the Government Pharmaceutical Office (GPO) on Mon where he will be briefed about the medical marijuana policy in Asia, including the practices, cultivation methods and research and the use of marijuana and ketum to get health purposes.
Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise cannabis and use it regarding medicinal purposes.
“The bilateral go to represents an ideal platform for the health ministry to understand the advancements in international analysis and findings to support the clinical usage of cannabis. ”
According to the statement, the visit also starts international collaboration possibilities for the private plus research entities commencing clinical studies on cannabis and ketum as they develop healthcare innovations that will more improve the quality associated with healthcare in Malaysia.
Khairy is usually expected to meet the major players of the cannabis and ketum industry in Thailand besides visiting Siam Marijuana Land where he can see indoor plus outdoor plantations, greenhouses as well as a drying center.
The Malaysian delegation will also check out Bumrungrad International Hospital, which is one of the biggest private hospitals in Southeast Asia and also the Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry which provides contemporary mental healthcare solutions.
Last 30 days, Khairy said the framework regarding the registration of certain cannabidiol (CBD) products will be announced.
In the meantime, the Health Ministry said Khairy is also scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) high-level meeting upon health and economy right here on Thursday (Aug 25) before time for Kuala Lumpur. – Bernama