Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar says today ganja use should be regulated. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 24, 2016.This is not the right time for Malaysia to allow open use of ganja as it is prone to abuses, especially among youngsters, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar says today.
He said police would not support such an idea because users were taking ganja as the first step before switching to more dangerous drugs.
“In our view, this is not the right time to be liberal about taking ganja because we know there are many youngsters who are abusing it.
“They use it to migrate to other stronger drugs. At the same time, I believe this is also against many religions, not just Islam,” Khalid told reporters after a function in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, today.
“We don’t support this. The police stance on this matter is clear, in fact, we are also against possession and use of ganja.”
However, he said, if there was evidence that ganja contained medical benefit, it should be taken under the supervision of a medical officer.
“If indeed it is for medicinal purposes, it should be regulated. Not to be used indiscriminately and approval needs to come on the advice of a medical officer.
“Morphine is also being used as medicine, but with strict control. If it is true ganja also has such quality, then it must be done properly.”
Muhamad Ridwan Muhamad Rosli, who is also a member of the Selangor Youth Parliament, on February 17 proposed a review of ganja use.
He said the number of drug addicts could be reduced if the government considered decriminalising ganja.
The issue, Ridwan said, was raised because there were youth who did not consider ganja or marijuana a drug.
He stressed that he was not advocating legalising ganja but merely suggesting that its use be regulated.
The idea sparked criticism from various quarters, including Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan who said the government has no intention to legalise the use of marijuana in the country.
“There is a clear distinction between what he had said and the report circulated on social media.
“Each individual has his own opinion, but I ask this not (to be) distorted negatively on social media sites.”
He added that Malaysia should not be compared with other countries that allow the use of marijuana, such as the United States and Australia.
“We have a stand on the matter and allowing marijuana is not compatible with our culture.” – February 24, 2016.
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