Inp.polri.go.id - Denpasar.  Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom said on Tuesday (15/7/2025) that current cannabis research is not aimed at legalizing its use in Indonesia.

Speaking to students at Udayana University, Bali, he emphasized the study responds to public and parliamentary demand to assess the ethical, medical, and economic aspects of cannabis.

“I do not support legalization. Giving full access means opening the door to potential harm,” Chief Marthinus said, as quoted by antaranews.com

However, he acknowledged that empirical research may justify regulated medical use—not broad legalization. If proven beneficial, he said, the Ministry  of Health should issue strict guidelines, including disease-specific use.

He warned that Indonesia's drug use prevalence has reached 1.4 million people, and that legalization without control could worsen moral and health damage.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)