Growing Hemp Ketum For Medicinal Use Gets Cabinet Nod Says Deputy Minister

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PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has no objections to the growing of hemp and ketum for medical purposes, says Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.
The Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister said this was an indication that the Cabinet had given the “green light” and that it was good news for those in the medical field.

In a report by Sinar Harian on Sunday (April 24), Zahidi was quoted as saying that discussions will be held on the matter with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“However I would like to stress that this is not approval to just consume ketum water, but only for its use in the medical field. The public must not be confused,” he said.
Zahidi added that the demand for hemp and ketum is high in the international market and there are currently three countries that are the main producers of hemp.
“If Malaysia becomes the fourth market provider, it is very large and profits can also be high. One acre of hemp can bring in more than RM3,000, so 10 acres can bring at least RM30,000,” he said.
On April 12, the Medical Cannabis Caucus (MCC) said that it had held a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss policy issues related to the hemp industry, medical cannabis and ketum for use in Malaysia.
It added the Prime Minister had given a positive response to the issues raised, and that the matter would be dealt with in further detail in a Cabinet meeting.- Star

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