"I oppose the idea because consumption of marijuana can lead to addiction and is harmful for human health," Minister Linda Gumelar said here Thursday.
Linda said if marijuana was legalized, it would have disastrous consequences : Indonesian youths would be tempted to consume it en masse.
"I would not encourage Indonesian youths` curiosity to try consuming marijuana by legalizing it because doing so will lead to massive abuse of the narcotic substance," Linda said.
The use of marijuana was only allowed for medical purposes. Its use for ay other purpose was illegal, the minister said.
According to the minister, every stakeholder must prioritize the interest to protect Indonesian women and children with regard to the idea of legalizing marijuana.
People grouped in the Lingkaran Ganja Nusantara (LGN) a week ago held a Global Marijuana March (GMM) 2011 in Jakarta to demand the legalization of marijuana in Indonesia.
Marijuana or also known as Cannabis Sativa is forbidden in Indonesia because it is considered as a class one narcotic substance according to the Law No.35 of 2009 on Narcotics.
Consumption of marijuana is only legal in the Netherlands. (*)
(A050/HAJM/a014)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
