Marijuana. Cannabis. Weed. Ganja. Dope. Pot. Call the drug by any other name and it is still illegal in Malaysia.

According to David Bienenstock, a journalist who has written about cannabis for over a decade, one reason why the drug has so many names is because it has been illegal for so long that people have had to find creative ways to talk about it.

Most governments, lawmakers and health professionals prefer the term cannabis. Canada, which legalised cannabis for recreational use in 2018, adopted the term “cannabis” to describe cannabis products in general, as opposed to “marijuana” which only describes parts of the plant.

In September 2018, the possibility of legalising medical cannabis in Malaysia was raised when it was reported that the Cabinet discussed the drug's medicinal value. This discussion was prompted by public outrage over the case of a 29-year-old who was sentenced to death for using medical cannabis.

Medical cannabis uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it (called cannabinoids) to treat diseases or conditions.

According to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, cannabinoids are chemicals related to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s main mind-altering ingredient that makes people "high."

The two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are THC and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC can increase appetite, as well as reduce nausea, pain, inflammation and muscle control problems.

CBD is a cannabinoid that doesn't make people "high”, but may be useful in reducing pain and inflammation, controlling epileptic seizures, and possibly even treating mental illness and addictions.

FDA has approved a CBD-based liquid medication for the treatment of two forms of severe childhood epilepsy, Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Medical cannabis is also touted for many other medical benefits. However, what does the medical literature say on cannabis’ healing properties?

“There is not very much good, high-quality research done on the medical use of cannabis,” said pain and anaesthesiology consultant Dr Maya Nagaratnam in an interview on BFM.

“Claims that cannabis can cure cancer or that it can treat autism are very far-reaching statements.”

However, Dr Maya does not dismiss the fact that cannabis have certain medicinal properties. It is very useful in painful conditions such as cancer-related neuropathic pain. She said it can also be used as an appetite stimulant in certain cases or as a muscle relaxant in multiple sclerosis.

“As we would use opioids or morphine — which are controlled drugs — so if we were to use cannabis, it would have to be under proper legislation and proper usage on a named patient basis,” Dr Maya said.

“All the checks and measures one would use for any controlled drug substance would be applied.”

As things stand, should governments continue to criminalise possession of cannabis regardless of intent?

Or should there be a concerted effort to encourage more studies into the efficacy of medical cannabis? Let us know below.

Listen to the podcast 'Common Concerns #7: Medical Marijuana':

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