Syed Saddiq's Medical Cannabis Agenda Is Nothing But A Farce

Syed Saddiq once again caused a national furore with his recent push for the use of medical cannabis and ketum to be legalised. His argument is that there are a lot of families out there who are dependent on cannabidiol (CBD) oil as alternative treatment for epileptic children. He also claims that the medical cannabis industry is projected to generate RM400 billion in revenue for the country.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/10/14/syed-saddiq-leads-multi-party-caucus-on-medical-marijuana-and-ketum/2013304

These arguments are, however, not new but rather recycled from decades-long fight for the use of cannabis as an option in alternative medicine. Saddiq’s recent lament thus lacks originality, especially when Nurul Izzah Anwar has long advocated for a legislative resolve on this matter. As Saddiq’s circle of debate-craze officers would concur, Saddiq’s theatrics are none more than a “rehash”.

One cannot help but to recall that another far more capable MP and one that has been advocating for the use of medical marijuana in Malaysia is glaringly absent from this committee. YB Nurul Izzah has been advocating for the use of medical marijuana and extolling its benefits since 2018! In fact, she even applied to the Attorney-General to appeal for a pardon for Muhammad Lukman, a man who had been sentenced to death for selling medical marijuana products. What makes Saddiq think that he can just gate-crash this issue now?

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/29/nurul-izzah-law-to-decriminalise-medicinal-marijuana-in-the-works/

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/17/nurul-izzah-to-appeal-to-ag-to-pardon-medical-marijuana-distributor-on-death-row/

What is more interesting is Saddiq’s urgency for this matter to be put on a spotlight. Not only that he has unrequitedly preached about how good cannabis can be to the country, he had also worked behind-the-scene to form a self-inviting, bipartisan parliamentary caucus to win political brownie points. Saddiq knew from his Undi18 experience that the MPs’ liking for being courted – and he did just that with the insignificant few that he had invited.

The bigger question then is, why the rush?

After all, we have not entirely recovered from the public health and economic setbacks of Covid-19. The rate of unemployed graduates is at its record high, there are three suicide cases recorded every day, and the B50s are on the verge of losing their homes once the moratorium has ended. Will the legalisation of medical cannabis be a once-and-for-all solution to the multi-faceted problems our country is facing?

What is clear is that Saddiq is clearly benefiting from the publicity that came with it. Amidst the faint flicker of economy recovery announcements by Tengku Zafrul and Mustapha Mohamed, Saddiq’s image rose to prominence with his advocacy for medical cannabis. Saddiq’s public relations team has orchestrated it as such that even Singapore’s draconian, state-controlled media is giving him attention. A 29-year-old Malaysian MP propagating for a recreational drug to be legalised? – Hell, yeah!

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/09/29/syed-saddiq-calls-for-govt-to-look-into-legalising-medical-marijuana-and-he/2009357

Beyond the brouhaha, the public seems to be missing the plot on the economic value that may come with this legalisation. We have seen massive profits being generated in the US, Canada, and Thailand from such policy direction, so much so that their pioneering companies have since been listed on major stock exchanges.

But their newfound successes have not come easy. It took proponents of medical cannabis decades of political lobbying before they were welcomed in legislative processes. What is happening in Malaysia now is therefore, unprecedented. It took Saddiq merely two weeks to form a bipartisan caucus to legalise medical cannabis.

For context, it is an open secret that Saddiq is entrepreneur-friendly. From airline to energy drink owners – he has met them all. What most people did not know is that Saddiq has reportedly also been engaged by a foreign medical cannabis operator.

When the meet-up between a foreign drug tycoon and a politician is done hush-hush, one can only guess why. With the gullible MPs in the bipartisan caucus such as Kuala Kedah MP Azman Ismail, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni and Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, it is fair to assume that Saddiq will be able to push through his ulterior agenda fairly quickly with whatever support that he might be receiving on the other side.