KUALA LUMPUR (BLOOMBERG) - Public outrage over a death penalty handed to a 29-year-old man is spurring Malaysia to start talks to legalise marijuana for medical use, racing to become the first Asian country to do so.
For now, the focus is on overturning a death sentence handed last month to a man convicted of possessing, processing and distributing medicinal marijuana oil.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 93, has said the verdict and law should be reviewed in the country, where Muslims make up more than half of the population.
The Cabinet has reached consensus to remove capital punishment in the man's case, but garnering support for legalising medical marijuana will be "an uphill battle", Dr Xavier said.
"It will take a bit of encouragement and convincing as far as this topic is concerned," he said at his office.
In South-east Asia, drug trafficking is often punishable by death, with little distinction made between marijuana and hard drugs like cocaine.
Not for social purposes, for medicinal purposes - yes, it should be allowed to be used. »
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