It was with grief that we heard of the death of Musa bin Hassan Pedersen, who suffered from cerebral palsy, at the age of 16.

Musa’s condition deteriorated as a result of breathing difficulties, a situation that may have been avoided if cannabis therapy were legal in Indonesia.

The country’s Narcotics Law, one of the world’s strictest drug regulations, bans the use cannabis, even for medical purposes and even as some other countries move in the opposite direction.

Thailand, for example, approved marijuana for medical use and research in December 2018, the first legalization of the drug in Asia, which is known for having among the strictest drug laws in the world.

In some communities in Indonesia, cannabis has been used as traditional medicine for centuries.

While the tough law may prevent rampant illegal drug trafficking and widespread drug abuse, especially of synthetic drugs like crystal methamphetamine, it has failed to protect vulnerable citizens like Musa.

Musa underwent cannabis therapy in Australia for a month in 2016, and it reportedly improved his health demonstrably. The therapy helped him release phlegm that, during the last days of his life, made it hard for him to breathe.     

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