The shift in the mindset of some government officials signals a potential turning point in the broader acceptance and recognition of the medicinal benefits that cannabis offers.
By Aulia R. Sungkar . Originally published on The Jakarta Post on July 27, 2023
Despite an increasing number of countries legalizing marijuana (cannabis), Indonesia stands out with its strict regulations. Cannabis is listed as a Schedule I substance, categorizing it alongside heroin as one of the most dangerous and deadly substances.
Indonesia for decades has imposed imprisonment for both medical and recreational use of marijuana, even for the possession of small quantities of the substance for personal use. This absurd law recalls a famous quote by Martin Luther King Jr.: “An unjust law is no law at all”.
Let us take a moment to consider several examples of cannabis use in Indonesia, as well as the repercussions they invoked, the controversy that arose among the general public and the extensive media coverage that they garnered.
In 2017, a man was imprisoned for possessing marijuana in order to alleviate the suffering of his terminally ill wife, who tragically passed away while he was serving his sentence. In 2020, Musa, the son of Dwi Pertiwi, died on Dec. 26 after battling cerebral palsy for 16 years. His medical condition necessitated the use of medical cannabis, but regrettably, he passed away during the Constitutional Court trial in which his mother sought a judicial review of Narcotics Law No. 35/2009.
Another mother, Santi, finds herself in a similar situation, desperately in need medical cannabis for her daughter, Pika, who is also suffering from cerebral palsy. Santi has urged the government to review the Narcotics Law and has taken to social media to advocate for the legalization of medical cannabis. Her heartfelt message gained significant traction, garnering over 40,000 retweets on Twitter.
Considering the circumstances, a glimmer of hope is arising as certain influential government officials begin to embrace more progressive views regarding the use of medical cannabis.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, former head of the conservative Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), has expressed support for the legalization of medical cannabis. Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco urged the House’s Commission III to expedite the revision of the Narcotics Law in June 2022. Furthermore, earlier this year, the Aceh legislative council released the minutes of Meeting of the Consultative Body No. 01022023, granting approval for the submission of a draft qanun on the legalization of medical cannabis. “The classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance prohibits its use in healthcare and hinders scientific research. As a result, a significant number of lawmakers are currently considering the reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to a lower level, such as a Schedule III substance,” says Dhira Narayana, chairman of Sativa Nusantara Foundation, a non-profit medical marijuana research and advocacy organization.
However, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) resists the idea of reclassification.
Regardless of the BNN’s opposition, Dhira asserted, “this reclassification holds the potential to facilitate clinical trials and may also pave the way for the legalization of medical cannabis. Such a development could have a positive impact on both the healthcare industry and the country’s economy.”
The shift in the mindset of some government officials signals a potential turning point in the broader acceptance and recognition of the medicinal benefits that cannabis offers. This shift has given rise to a renewed sense of optimism among those advocating for its use, including the Sativa Nusantara Foundation.
In line with this development, on July 27, 2023, the foundation officially submitted a policy brief titled “Regulatory Reform of Medical Cannabis Regulations to Unlock More Potential in the Indonesian Healthcare Industry” to all political parties contesting the upcoming 2024 elections.
The foundation’s secretary, Singgih Tomi Gumilang, submitted the policy brief to Commission III member Ichsan Soelistio, Johan Budi of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Hinca Panjaitan of the Democratic Party.
The policy brief offers comprehensive insights into the regulations, implementation strategies and monitoring mechanisms of medical cannabis. Through an analysis of effective approaches employed in other nations, the brief aims to serve as a valuable tool for stakeholders, assisting them in the development of optimal and effective medical cannabis regulations for future implementation.
“The objective of this policy brief is to provide a comprehensive scientific foundation for the inclusion of the cannabis plant in its entirety, covering all plant varieties within the cannabis genus and all components of the plant,” says Viqqi Kurnianda, a member of the foundation’s research team.
Medical cannabis can be effective in treating various conditions, according to Viqqi. He acknowledged that the field of medical cannabis is still evolving, and ongoing research is being conducted. However, he emphasized that medical cannabis has demonstrated promising results in alleviating conditions including chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting, epilepsy, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia and cancer-related symptoms.
Despite the pros and cons, public awareness about the benefits of medical marijuana is steadily increasing and more lawmakers are showing support. Yet, one cannot help but wonder whether Indonesia will seize the opportunity to legalize it or not.
It is still too early to conclude whether Indonesia, like its ASEAN neighbor Thailand, is ready to reform its cannabis regulations. However, the ongoing efforts to legalize cannabis persist, regardless of the current circumstances.
The writer is a freelance journalist, entrepreneur, and supporter of medical cannabis legalization.
