Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has weighed in on the brewing national debate over whether marijuana should be decriminalised – and, surprise surprise, he’s not down for a Malaysian Summer of Love.
Voicing his personal opinion on the matter, the country’s #2 said he opposed the idea of weed legislation needing to be reviewed, as he believed legal marijuana would only create more drug addicts in Malaysia.
According to a Bernama report, Zahid cited the trend of legalising weed in several European countries as having not been effective in curbing overall drug addiction rates.
“I have seen several studies…when marijuana is allowed, it has not reduced the abuse of the drug in those countries. In fact, it has resulted in repeat users and new addicts. Although the proposal has not been officially rejected, personally I do not agree with it,” he said.
Zahid, who also serves as Home Minister, noted that in 2015, 26,668 drug addicts were on record in Malaysia, with 23.9% of those addicts being repeat offenders.
He did not, however, clarfiy what narcotics those addicts were hooked on.
The DPM today also announced an “all-out war” on drugs by all relevant enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Police, the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), the Malaysian Drug Prevention Organisation (PEMADAM), and others.
The public conversation on legalisation might be seen as encouraging signs for Malaysia’s pro-weed activists, but with opposition from heavies such as Zahid and Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, don’t expect to be celebrating #420 any time soon.
