On the Lawfulness of Marijuana for Medication according to Jurists of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah in East Java

Abstract

The utilization of marijuana or cannabis for medicine is always a controversial issue although it is well recorded everywhere past and present. In Islam, where sobriety is part of being a good Muslim, sing and/or abusing marijuana for medicine is still problematic due to it psychoactive nature of marijuana. The jurists of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah in East Java open their position by insisting the unlawfulness of marijuana consumption because of its similarity to khamr which is clearly restricted in the Quran. Both substances are not only psychoactive but also destructive. Nonetheless, in emergency situation, marijuana is tolerated with measured dosage and strict surveillance.