Muslim medical practitioners group I-Medik has slammed an Umno grassroots leader's suggestion to decriminalise marijuana (ganja) so that it can be used to help ease stress.

Activist Dr Nadiah Norudin described the proposal by Pusat Bandar Taman Chempaka Umno Youth assistant secretary Syed Rosli Jamalulail as "shallow".

Nadiah said from a medical perspective, marijuana can have various negative effects on health, including one's IQ.

"It reduces the IQ development of youths and also babies who are exposed to marijuana while in the womb.

"Research also shows that many youths using marijuana have trouble finishing school, which contributes to their dropping out," she said in a statement yesterday, adding that it will also affect brain function.

Nadiah said there is increasing research in the West, where the use of the drug is widespread, that shows the negative effects of marijuana.

Risk of mental illness

Citing a research published in The New England Journal of Medicine 2014, she said marijuana leads to addiction.

"Almost half of those who use marijuana on a daily basis became addicted and one in six youths using marijuana became addicted," she said, adding that this may also lead to addiction to more harmful drugs such as morphine and cocaine, as well as alcohol addiction.

Nadiah added that marijuana also poses risk of mental illness such as anxiety and depression, on top of increased risk of schizophrenia.

She warned that decriminalisation of marijuana is likely to lead to more social problems.

"As a medical practitioner, it is enough seeing our patients coming in due to accidents from drunk driving, mental patients trying to find their place in society, children and youths being referred to psychologists due to social problems.

"We are not willing to see an addition to such groups in our society," she said.