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Khairy in Thailand to assess potential use of medical cannabis

The health minister is expected to meet the main players of the cannabis and ketum industry in Thailand, and will be briefed about the medical cannabis policy in the country.

Bernama
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Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Photo: Bernama
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Photo: Bernama

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is on a four-day working visit to Thailand to assess the potential use of cannabis and ketum for medical purposes and the legal framework for its medical use.

The health ministry said the working visit, which started today, was at the invitation of Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul.

Khairy is scheduled to visit the Government Pharmaceutical Office today where he will be briefed about the medical cannabis policy in Thailand including the practices, cultivation methods and research as well as the use of cannabis and ketum for health purposes in Thailand.

Thailand 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," the statement said. 

It said the visit also opens international collaboration opportunities for 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.

Khairy is expected to meet the main players of the cannabis and ketum industry in Thailand in addition to visiting Siam Cannabis Land where he will be able to see both indoor and outdoor plantations, the greenhouse as well as the drying centre.

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 products would be announced.

Meanwhile the health ministry said Khairy is also scheduled to attend the Apec high-level meeting on health and economy in Bangkok on Thursday before returning to Kuala Lumpur.