It's an issue that divides society - to smoke or not to smoke.

Throughout the world, a number of countries are slowing changing their laws around medicinal and recreational cannabis use. New Zealand's laws have stayed relatively the same for some time, with the exception of cannabis based products now being approved for use, but still tightly controlled.

So, which countries are leading the way in this area, and where can you use it either for fun, or for well-being?

Here in New Zealand, cannabis remains illegal to possess, and illegal to grow.

Medicinal use is tightly controlled but can be granted by the Ministry of Health.

Across the ditch it's a similar story.

It's virtually impossible to produce up-to-date scientific evidence of ganja's benefits.

Malaysian proponents of marijuana legalisation will have a tough time persuading the government to consider the plant’s benefits because it’s next to impossible to legally produce up-to-date scientific results on the matter.

According to Arif Husaini Abdul Rahim, a medical officer at Sarawak General Hospital, one of the biggest obstacles to studying the effects of marijuana in Malaysia is obtaining samples for research.

“We can’t study the chemicals in the plant if we have no legal means of obtaining it; hence we rely on countries that have legalised it to pursue the field,” said Arif in a recent interview with the Malaysian Digest.

There’s a political showdown brewing in Malaysia, and cannabis is at the center of it all.

This week, Dr. Nadiah Norudin, a leading member of the healthcare activist group I-Medik, spoke out against a proposal to decriminalize marijuana in Malaysia.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said that while certain states in the US have legalised some drugs, they are struggling to manage the many drug abuse issues that have occurred as a result of the legalisation. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa 

KUALA LUMPUR — Legalising the use of marijuana will only worsen drug abuse in Malaysia, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said today, rubbishing the suggestion from a Youth Parliament representative who made the call recently.

Pointing to the United States (US) as an example, Nur Jazlan said that while certain states in the US have legalised some drugs, they are struggling to manage the many drug abuse issues that have occurred as a result of the legalisation.

PETALING JAYA, Dec 11 — The National Anti-Drugs Agency is not prepared to handle the possible trend of ganja abuse through vape. 

Its director, Datuk Suhaimi Abdullah, admitted yesterday more research had to be done to determine if consuming ganja through e-liquid posed a bigger health threat compared to conventional means.

To do this, he said, it must first be able to detect the target group through urine tests. 

“Currently, we are unaware if ganja consumed through vapes will cause someone to fail a urine drug test, hence the need for more research and information,” he said.

Suhaimi said the agency was not able to clamp down on errant vape users as vaping was beyond its jurisdiction.