Malaysia Weighs Cannabis Vaporizer Manufacturing for Export

LOS ANGELES— Malaysia’s Cabinet is set to decide whether to permit the manufacturing of cannabis vaporizer hardware for export, as Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed following a multi-agency review. The proposal centers on a Johor-based facility operated by Ispire Technology Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company, which currently holds a federal licence to manufacture nicotine-related products.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) granted Ispire its manufacturing licence; however, questions remain over whether this extends to devices intended for cannabis use, given the country’s strict prohibition under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952. The devices, which are empty and contain neither nicotine nor cannabis substances, are intended solely for foreign markets, according to the company.

The Medical Device Authority has clarified that such vaporizer hardware does not qualify as a medical device under current Malaysian law. Critics, including political opposition figures, have called for a formal investigation, arguing that the manufacturing of “cannabis hardware” could conflict with national drug laws, regardless of the products’ intended destination.

This decision carries broader implications for Malaysia’s industrial strategy, particularly in positioning itself as a hub for export-driven, high-tech manufacturing. The Cabinet’s ruling may set a precedent on how cannabis-adjacent technologies are treated within the regulatory framework, especially when tied to foreign investment and international trade objectives.