Study Finds Strong Majority of Malaysian Doctors Support Medical Marijuana
- The survey of 420 public-sector medical practitioners in Malaysia revealed that 65% support the use of medical marijuana for certain conditions, especially pain-related treatments.
- Support was highest for pain management, with 87% endorsing its use for pain, 74.3% willing to recommend it for cancer-related pain, and 66.9% for chronic pain.
- Factors such as gender and prior information exposure influenced practitioners' willingness to recommend medical marijuana.
- The study highlights the need for clear clinical guidelines, dosing standards, monitoring, and targeted training to safely integrate medical marijuana into Malaysian healthcare if legalized.
A nationwide survey published in the Medical Journal of Malaysia finds that a majority of public-sector medical practitioners support the use of marijuana for medical purposes, particularly for treating pain-related conditions.
The study, conducted and funded by the Malaysia National Institute for Health, surveyed 420 medical practitioners working in government institutions using a 23-item questionnaire that examined demographics, specialties, knowledge of medical marijuana, and responses to clinical scenarios.
Researchers found that 65% of respondents believe medical marijuana should be available for certain conditions. Support was strongest for pain-related uses, with 87% agreeing it should be an option for pain treatment. When presented with specific case scenarios, 74.3% said they would recommend marijuana for cancer-related pain, while 66.9% expressed willingness to recommend it for chronic pain.
The analysis also found that gender and prior exposure to information about medical marijuana played a statistically significant role in determining whether practitioners were willing to recommend it.
Despite marijuana remaining illegal for recreational use in Malaysia, the findings indicate growing acceptance among medical professionals for its potential therapeutic role. Researchers note that while attitudes are shifting, more work is needed to better understand what drives prescribing decisions and how these views translate into real-world clinical practice.
The study emphasizes the importance of developing clear clinical guidelines if Malaysia were to consider a regulated medical marijuana system. This includes establishing standards for dosing, monitoring, and pharmacovigilance, as well as providing targeted, evidence-based training to ensure practitioners are equipped to safely incorporate marijuana into patient care.