Hinca from PD Questions BNN: Do You Agree We Establish Indonesia's Medical Cannabis SEZ?
Member of DPR RI Commission III, Hinca Pandjaitan, raised the issue of Indonesia’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for medical cannabis. He called for in-depth research on the presence of medical cannabis in Indonesia to assess its positive and negative impacts.
This was stated by Hinca during a working meeting of Commission III of the DPR regarding the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026). Hinca pointed out that the Ministry of Health has yet to conduct research on medical cannabis.
“The Ministry of Health has repeatedly failed to comply and defied the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court ordered the government to conduct research on medical cannabis, but it has never been done,” said Hinca during the meeting.
He stated that while methamphetamine leads to criminal acts, cannabis to date has shown no such criminal impact. He cited the benefits of cannabis in food production as an example.
“If methamphetamine leads to criminal acts, cannabis does not impact criminality. In our village in Simalungun, Saribudolok, at that time, agriculture was the best in the republic for food production. It turned out that cannabis was the best way to protect plants from viruses. And cannabis is feed for livestock to grow quickly. That means food security. Why is medical cannabis opposed?” he said.
He then asked National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Chief Police General Suyudi Ario Seto and Narcotics Directorate Head Police Brigadier General Eko Hadi. This Democratic Party legislator proposed the establishment of Indonesia’s Medical Cannabis Special Economic Zone.
“Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I ask BNN and also these colleagues—I allow them to answer later—do you agree with my proposal to establish Indonesia’s Medical Cannabis Special Economic Zone?” said Hinca.
He noted that cannabis has long circulated illicitly and is banned. He mentioned the areas proposed for the establishment of Indonesia’s Medical Cannabis SEZ.
“What’s banned is the illicit circulation. If so, let’s make it legal circulation. Out of the tens of thousands of islands in Indonesia, just take 10, focus everything there, all rehabilitation there too. Wow, if that happens, it would be great,” said Hinca.
“My question earlier, if approved, would be excellent. I propose and ask if you agree with the Medical Cannabis Special Economic Zone for Indonesia?” he added.