SHAH ALAM (March 25): There are many more beneficial plants that can be cultivated instead of cannabis (ganja) for medical purposes, said State Young Generation, Sports and Human Capital Development Committee chairman, Mohd Khairuddin Othman.

He said although Dr Idris Ahmad (PKR-Ijok) mentioned that (recreational) drugs have been used in the medical sector for a long time, they were now misused.

“What more with teenagers in Malaysia becoming too creative...when you give them firecrackers to set off during festivals, they make firebombs. On the matter, Ijok (Dr Idris) did say that (recreational) drugs were previously used in the medical sector but these days they are being abused.

“I wish to tell the Honourable Member that he is not living in the previous era. It’s better for youths in this State to grow useful crops like chilli than cannabis,” he said when winding up the debate in the State Legislative Assembly, here, today.

He added that although cannabis had certain benefits in the medical sphere, all parties needed to be clear and understand that there are laws prohibiting anyone from cultivating cannabis.

“Section 6B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 clearly states that any one found cultivating cannabis or plants that can produce raw opium can be subjected to life imprisonment and a minimum of six strokes of the cane. This is the law,” he said.

Mohd Khairuddin (PKR-Paya Jaras) said that was why the State Government was committed to ensuring youngsters in Selangor were not involved in drug abuse, and instead had implemented various programmes to tackle the problem of drug abuse.

He said that among the programmes being carried out by the State Government were holding discussions and reviewing the drug problem with the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) to come up with the reward-and-report programme.

“Up till 2017, Selangor recorded 2,305 drug addicts, (a situation) which was still under control. We want to keep the situation under control and do not want any elements which may expose our youngsters to drugs,” he said.

Last Wednesday, Mohd Shaid Rosli (PKR-Jeram), while debating on the address by the Sultan of Selangor at the sitting, suggested that the State Government should consider the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes.

Mohd Shaid also suggested that the cannabis cultivation and processing location be in an area which could only be accessed by certain parties and that laws be tightened to prevent black market transactions.