Cannabis-based medication can be registered if proven safe and effective, says Khairy

The health ministry will allow the registration of cannabis-based medication if there is solid evidence that the products can be used safely and effectively to treat patients, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin says.

He said the Institute for Clinical Research under the National Health Institute was conducting reviews and holding discussions with experts, especially in the fields of ecology and palliative care.

"This also involves experts in services that provide treatment for certain conditions such as epilepsy. They are checking on data from abroad in terms of the effectiveness and safety of using cannabis in certain conditions (diseases).

"If the experts’ reviews reveal solid evidence that cannabis can be used safely and effectively, then we can open up registration for those indications (use for treating certain diseases)," he said at a media conference after the handover of the Serdang Hospital Heart Centre yesterday.

He said it was vital to ensure that local experts are satisfied that cannabis can be used for certain conditions.

Media outlets had previously reported that the government would decide on the medical use of cannabis before the end of this year.