Legalization Of Marijuana Is Not A Competition, But Indonesia Is Falling Further Behind

Photo illustration (Ahmed Zayan / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - After legalizing the use of marijuana for medical and research purposes in 2017, Thailand is now entering a new stage of cannabis use. The authorities approved amendments to narcotics regulations that regulate the wider use of cannabis. Legalizing marijuana is not a competition. However, Indonesia is clearly further behind.

Launching Reuters, in the latest amendments, contained a point that gives private companies the opportunity to cultivate the cannabis plant, both for the production of drugs and for other medical purposes. This is progress, considering that previously only the government had the authority to grow marijuana.

Not only that. The amendment includes another item that allows marijuana treatment patients to produce, export, or sell cannabis leaves. As long as it's for medical purposes, of course.

"The law will promote the pharmaceutical industry and increase competitiveness, which will be important for Thailand to become a leader in medical cannabis," Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Wednesday, August 5.

Thailand's steps to legalize marijuana are in stark contrast to Indonesia. In Indonesia, possession of marijuana is illegal. DPR Commission III member Hinca Panjaitan said what Thailand was doing should be a reflection of Indonesia using marijuana.

Therefore, he urged the Ministry of Health to conduct research on medical marijuana. "I am still in a position to support this marijuana for medical purposes. But with a special note, we do research first. "

Hinca thought that the Indonesian government seemed to always close its eyes. Even though there have been many countries that have become examples. In fact, in terms of resources, Indonesia is very capable of conducting research.

Not as free as Thailand

Even so, Hinca does not agree that private and private companies can produce and sell marijuana as echoed in the new Thailand amendment. In Hinca's eyes, the production, distribution, and license to use medical marijuana must still be regulated by the government.

"Indeed, there have been many examples of countries that have done it. But as a sovereign state we still need a blueprint and a scientific basis for the use of marijuana. In this case, it is for medical purposes, ”said Hinca to VOI, Thursday, August 6.

“The government still has weapons. There is no mutual desire to do cannabis research to be real. Even this country doesn't have those ideals. "

In the information above, Hinca explained that the government tends to think that the cannabis plant can only cause negative effects for its users. The bad stigma of the cannabis plant which is considered to have no benefit can continue to endure in the heads of Indonesian society.

"From the research results, we will find out what diseases this cannabis plant can treat. How big is the dose, which part of the cannabis plant has the function of healing, how long do you have to use it and so on, "he said.

Cannabis use schemes

As representatives of the people who are directly elected by the Indonesian people, Hinca wants discussions about marijuana for medical and medical purposes to develop and not just go where it is today. It is on this basis that Hinca tries to describe a scheme the government can implement for the cannabis plant.

"First, the cannabis plant must be separated from the Narcotics Group I. Because in article 6 paragraph (1) of the Narcotics Law, it is stated that this group can only be used for scientific purposes and not used for therapy," said Hinca.

Hinca argues, as long as marijuana is still included in class I narcotics, the use of marijuana will stop. This is because as long as the cannabis plant is in the category of narcotics class I, so long as the cannabis plant cannot be used for medical purposes.

"Second, make special arrangements regarding the cannabis plant. Several countries are already doing this. The United States for example. In 2019, their long debate about marijuana is still ongoing today. "

In this case, Hinca gave an example of what the US House Judiciary Committee did last year to vote regarding the use of marijuana. As a result, the majority of the population occupy the The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act Bill. Even so, he is still fighting hard politically in the US Senate.

"Third, an institution will soon be formed to regulate the granting of permits for medical marijuana use. This method was carried out by South Korea in 2018. They have carried out major reforms in terms of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, "he added.

So, if someone is suffering from a rare and incurable disease, the cannabis plant can be used for treatment. However, these patients must get permission from an institution called the Korea Orphan Drugs Center.

"Please note, currently there are various options available to answer the mystery of this cannabis plant. But our country still seems very comfortable living in darkness and ignorance of the uses of marijuana. Research, research and research. That is what needs to be done, and must be, "concluded Hinca.