Cannabis is illegal in Malaysia, although there are talks to make exceptions for medical purposes. Recreational use of cannabis is illegal under Malaysian laws, while the use of cannabis for medical, experimental, educational and research purposes are subjected to the authorization of Minister of Health, and may only be carried out by a public officer.
Location of Malaysia (dark green) | |
| Medicinal | Subjected to ministrial approval |
|---|---|
| Recreational | Illegal |
Under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, persons found with illegal possession of 200 grams of marijuana or more are presumed to be trafficking in drugs, and may either be sentenced to death or life imprisonment in addition to at least 12 strokes of caning. For illegal possession of 50 grams or more, the punishment is either life imprisonment or minimum 5 years jail term and 10 strokes of whipping, while illegal possession below 50 grams to 20 grams, may be punished with 2 to 5 years of imprisonment in addition to 3 to 9 strokes of caning
Before the abolition of mandatory death penalty in 2023, the only punishment for trafficking in cannabis (and drugs trafficking in general) in Malaysia is death.
