Legalization of Medical Cannabis
Indonesia’s Regulatory Framework and Lessons from Thailand
Keywords:
Medical Cannabis Legalization, Comparative Study, Regulation, Policy Reform, Public Health LawAbstract
This study aims to analyze the prospects of legalizing cannabis for medical use in Indonesia through a comparative study with the policies implemented in Thailand. The method used is normative-empirical legal research, combining literature review (legislation and literature) with in-depth interviews with the National Narcotics Agency and Lingkar Ganja Nusantara to enrich and validate normative findings. The results of the study show that the potential for medical cannabis legalization in Indonesia is highly dependent on the implementation of strict and structured regulations, an effective monitoring system, and a phased approach. The comparative study with Thailand provides crucial lessons on the need for a mature legal framework and strong control mechanisms to avoid the risks of uncontrolled liberalization. The novel contribution of this research lies in the integration of empirical perspectives from key actors in analyzing lessons learned from Thailand to formulate an adaptive policy model in Indonesia. Thus, this study concludes that the legalization of medical cannabis in Indonesia has great prospects for realization, provided it is supported by comprehensive policies that prioritize public health interests and legal certainty.
References
Books:
Budhi H., I Gusti Kade. 2021. Hukum Pidana Progresif: Konsep Dan Penerapan Dalam Perkara Pidana. Jakarta: Rajawali. https://books.google.co.id/books/about/Hukum_Pidana_Progresif.html?id=IDYD0AEACAAJ&redir_esc=y.
Efendi Jonaedi, and Rijadi Prasetijo. 2022. Metode Penelitian Hukum Normatif Dan Empiris: Edisi Kedua. PrenadaMediaGroup.
Lutfiyani Dini, Hamzani Irwan Achmad, and Rizkianto Kus. 2023. Kontroversi Ganja Untuk Medis, Perbandingan Indonesia Dan Thailand - Google Play Books. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=O-atEAAAQBAJ&pg=GBS.PA18&hl=en_GB.
M. Peter Lily. n.d. Medicinal Plants of East and Southeast Asia : Attributed Properties and Uses : Perry, Lily May, 1895-1992 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://archive.org/details/MedicinalP_00_Perr/mode/1up?view=theater.
Renggong, Ruslan, Dyah Aulia Rachma Ruslan. 2021. Hak Asasi Manusia Dalam Perspektif Hukum Nasional. Jakarta: Google Buku. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=OC5EEAAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright&hl=id#v=onepage&q&f=false.
Konvensi Internasional/Peraturan Perundang-Undangan:
Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 2023 tentang Narkotika
Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2009 tentang Narkotika
Undang-Undang Nomor 17 Tahun 2023 tentang Kesehatan
Mahkamah Konstitusi Nomor 13/PUU-XXII/2024
Narcotics Code B.E. 2564, Thailand.
Journals
Abdurrachman, Hamidah, Fajar Ari Sudewo, and Soesi Idayanti. 2023. “Prospek Legalisasi Ganja Untuk Kebutuhan Medis.” SALAM: Jurnal Sosial Dan Budaya Syar-i 10 (4): 1324. https://doi.org/10.15408/sjsbs.v10i4.33839.
Andini Hasnabila, Riska. 2023. “How to Cite: URGENSI LEGALISASI PENGGUNAAN GANJA MEDIS DILIHAT DARI PERSPEKTIF HUKUM HAK ASASI MANUSIA” 8 (11). https://doi.org/10.36418/syntax-literate.v8i10.
Angkurawaranon, Chaisiri, Wichuda Jiraporncharoen, Surinporn Likhitsathian, Kanittha Thaikla, Manop Kanato, Usaneya Perngparn, Sawitri Assanangkornchai, and Apinun Aramrattana. 2018. “Trends in the Use of Illicit Substances in Thailand: Results from National Household Surveys.” Drug and Alcohol Review 37 (5): 658–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12689.
Assanangkornchai, Sawitri, Kanittha Thaikla, Muhammadfahmee Talek, and Darika Saingam. 2022. “Medical Cannabis Use in Thailand after Its Legalization: A Respondent-Driven Sample Survey.” PeerJ 10 (January). https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12809.
Dewi, Nevy Rusmarina, and Melina Nurul Khofifah. 2021. “Transisi Penggolongan Ganja Dalam Perjanjian Pengendalian Narkoba PBB: Langkah Legalisasi.” Khazanah Hukum 3 (2): 59–69. https://doi.org/10.15575/kh.v3i2.11801.
Fauzan, Akmal. n.d. “KRITIK DASAR ALIRAN POSITIVISME TEORI HANS KELSEN (Studi Kasus Terhadap Polemik Legalisasi Ganja Di Indonesia).” https://www.hukumonline.com/berita/a/mencari-format-peradilan-yang-independen-dan-tak-.
Fauziyah, Wiwin. 2020. Perlunya Regulasi Terhadap Peraturan Penggunaan Ganja Di Indonesia Ditinjau Dari Kepentingan Medis. https://doi.org/10.21067.JPH.2.7702.
Gumilang, Singgih Tomi, Bambang Waluyo, Beniharmoni Harefa, Teguh Hartono, and Hilda Novyana. 2023. “PROSPEKTIF GANJA INDONESIA UNTUK KEPENTINGAN PELAYANAN KESEHATAN” 5 (1). https://journal.upnvj.ac.id/index.php/esensihukum/index.
Hermansyah, Agung, Alamsyah Alamsyah, Maryanto Maryanto, and Wicipto Setiadi. 2024. “Legalisasi Ganja Medis Di Indonesia: Potensi, Tantangan, Dan Pendekatan Melalui Penetapan Pengadilan.” Journal of Contemporary Law Studies 2 (1): 85–100. https://doi.org/10.47134/lawstudies.v2i1.3361.
Kartika, Arie, Tengku Keizerina, and Devi Azwar. n.d. “Hukum Dan Globalisasi Terhadap Legalitas Ganja Medis Law and Globalization on the Legality of Medical Marijuana.” JUNCTO 5 (2): 187–200. https://doi.org/10.31289/juncto.v5i2.3074.
Legalisasi, Dalam, Ganja Skripsi Diajukan, Memenuhi Persyaratan, Memperoleh Gelar, Sarjana Sosial, S Sos, Fay Cilla, and Tamara Alya. n.d. “TUNTUTAN LEGALISASI GANJA DI INDONESIA DAN THAILAND: Studi Peran Lingkar Ganja Nusantara Dan Highland Thailand.”
Lokollo, Leonie, Kebijakan Formulasi…………, Penggunaan Ganja, Sebagai Bahan, Pengobatan Di, Indonesia Oleh, Yonna Beatrix Salamor, and Erwin Ubwarin. n.d. “Kebijakan Formulasi Undang-Undang Narkotika Dalam Legalisasi.”
Malik, Syamsul, Luriana Manalu, and Rika Juniarti. n.d. “Legalisasi Ganja Dalam Sektor Medis Perspektif Hukum.”
Prassetyo, Erik Dwi. 2022. “Legalisasi Ganja Medis (Analisis Putusan MK Nomor 106/Puu-Xviii/2020).” Jurnal Analisis Hukum 5 (2): 147–62. https://doi.org/10.38043/jah.v5i2.3735.
Putu Satya Kama, I, Anak Agung Ayu Intan Prameswari, Sukma Sushanti, and Fakultas Ilmu Sosial Dan. n.d. “KEPENTINGAN THAILAND DALAM PENERAPAN KEBIJAKAN LEGALISASI GANJA.”
Risky, Agung, Saputra Marpaung, and Frans Simangunsong. 2023. Urgensi Penggunaan Ganja Bagi Disabilitas Untuk Kepentingan Medis Ditinjau Dari Ius Constitutum. https://doi.org/10.xxxxx/xxxxx.
Rizka, Rizka, Septiana Novita Sari, Nunik Nurhayati, and Vanka Lyandovy. 2023. “Drug Therapy For Mental Disorders In Psychotropic Law And Islamic Legal Perspectives.” JUSTISI 10 (1): 80–93. https://doi.org/10.33506/jurnaljustisi.v10i1.2819.
Spanagel, Rainer. 2020. “Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System in Reward Processing and Addiction: From Mechanisms to Interventions.” Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience 22 (3): 241–50. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.3/RSPANAGEL.
Triwulandari, Endah, Budi Santoso Irianto, Sinintha Sibarani, Fakultas Hukum Universitas Pancasila Jl Srengseng Sawah, and Jakarta Selatan. 2024. “POLITIK HUKUM MELEGALISASIKAN GANJA SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF PENGOBATAN SECARA MEDIS (Legal Politics Legalizing Marijuana As An Alternative To Medical Treatment).” Jurnal Legal Reasoning 6 (2): 150–68.
Triyatna, Anak Agung Gede, Putu Eka Trisna Dewi, and Cokorde Istri Dian Laksmi Dewi. 2024a. “Juridical Analysis of the Regulations on the Use of Cannabis for Medical Purposes in Indonesia (A Comparative Study with Thailand).” Jurnal Hukum Prasada 11 (1): 31–36. https://doi.org/10.22225/jhp.11.1.2024.31-36.
Wear, Elsa Amalia. 2024. “Kondisi Dan Dampak Perbedaan Regulasi Penanganan Narkoba Di Beberapa Negara ASEAN.” Balobe Law Journal 4 (1): 1. https://doi.org/10.47268/balobe.v4i1.1944.
Woro, Indah, U Dan, Nur A 56, Jurnal Hukum, Etika Kesehatan, Indah Woro Utami, and Nur Arfiani. 2022. “PENGGUNAAN GANJA MEDIS DALAM PENGOBATAN RASIONAL DAN PENGATURANNYA DI INDONESIA.” Jurnal Hukum Dan Etika Kesehatan. Vol. 2.
Yudha Pratama, Akbar, and Lalu Saepuddin. n.d. “STUDI KOMPARASI ANTARA INDONESIA DENGAN THAILAND TERKAIT KEBIJAKAN LEGALISASI GANJA.”
Zulfikri, Agung, and Ujang Badru Jaman. n.d. “Urgensi Legalitas Ganja Untuk Kepentingan Medis.” Jurnal Hukum Dan HAM West Science. Vol. 01.
Internet/Website:
Adrianto Wahyu. 2022. “Penggunaan Ganja Di Bidang Medis Dari Perspektif Kepastian Dan Kemanfaatan Hukum Oleh Wahyu Andrianto, S.H., M.H. - Fakultas Hukum Universitas Indonesia.” July 7. https://law.ui.ac.id/penggunaan-ganja-di-bidang-medis-dari-perspektif-kepastian-dan-kemanfaatan-hukum-oleh-wahyu-andrianto-s-h-m-h/.
CNN. 2025. Legalisasi Ganja Medis Di RI: Harapan Keluarga Pasien Dan UU Narkotika. April 17. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20250417064724-20-1219639/legalisasi-ganja-medis-di-ri-harapan-keluarga-pasien-dan-uu-narkotika.
CNN. 2025a. “Kepala BNN & Menteri HAM Bahas Legalisasi Ganja Hingga Kratom.” https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20250415151108-12-1219038/kepala-bnn-menteri-ham-bahas-legalisasi-ganja-hingga-kratom.
Humas BNN. 2025. “BNN TEGASKAN PELUANG PENELITIAN GANJA BUKAN UPAYA LEGALISASI.” June 15, 2025. https://bnn.go.id/bnn-tegaskan-peluang-penelitian-ganja-bukan-upaya-legalisasi/.
Nailufar Nada Nibras. 2020. “Sejarah Ganja Di Indonesia: Dilarang Belanda Hingga Diusulkan Diekspor.” February 2, 2020. https://www.kompas.com/skola/read/2020/02/02/193000069/sejarah-ganja-di-indonesia-dilarang-belanda-hingga-diusulkan-diekspor?page=all.
“PBB Ubah Sistem Penggolongan Narkotika Yang Memperkuat Posisi Ganja Medis - IJRS.” 2020. December 3. https://ijrs.or.id/2020/12/03/pbb-ubah-sistem-penggolongan-narkotika-yang-memperkuat-posisi-ganja-medis/.
Putri, Dania, and Tom Blickman. n.d. “Ganja Di Indonesia.”
Rahmawati. 2020. “Amicus Curiae (Sahabat Pengadilan) Untuk Majelis Hakim Dalam Perkara No 1285/Pid.Sus/2020/PN Sby Atas Nama Terdakwa Ardian Aldiano.” October 20. https://icjr.or.id/amicus-curiae-sahabat-pengadilan-untuk-majelis-hakim-dalam-perkara-no-1285-pid-sus-2020-pn-sby-atas-nama-terdakwa-ardian-aldiano/.
Visapra Phontham. 2025. “Thailand Classifies Cannabis Flowers as Controlled Substance for Medical Use Only - Laotian Times.” June 25, 2025. https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/25/thailand-classifies-cannabis-flowers-as-controlled-substance-for-medical-use-only/.
Yustina, Endang Wahyati, Marcella Elwina Simandjuntak, Mohamad Nasser, John D Blum, and Sheilla M Trajera. n.d. “Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Indonesia from the Human Rights Perspectives: Lessons Learned from Three ASEAN Countries.” https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/indonesia-40799686.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Gusti Tiya Yolanda Nur Fadhila, Kayus Kayowuan Lewoleba
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
