“Some questions regarding (ethics) will rise. What’s the point of legalization? Economic? Health?" BNN head Marthinus Hukom said here on Wednesday after destroying narcotics seized during raids.
He said that if the motivation for the legalization is economic, its impact will need to be calculated. Similarly, more studies are required to determine the types of diseases whose treatment regimen involves the use of weed, he added.
Thus, further study and research are needed to determine the potential of medical marijuana. Hukom said that research is necessary to ascertain medical marijuana’s actual effectiveness.
“We should not (follow) myths, (follow) people who just say that they are cured (of their disease) because of weed. That is not methodological,” he stressed.
However, he said, legalizing weed is not under his administration’s authority. Any decision on the subject would rest with other stakeholders, such as the Health Ministry or doctors.
Currently, a study on medical marijuana use is underway, he said.
“We have started, and it needs, one: funding. Two: process,” he added.
Moreover, legalizing its medical use would not automatically mean marijuana can be used freely for other purposes, such as recreational.
A doctor will still need to authorize marijuana use for medical purposes.
“Not everyone can use it,” Hukom highlighted.
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Translator: Redemptus Elyonai Risky Syukur, Mecca Yumna Ning P
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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