As countries across the world relax their cannabis laws, there are still places where the risk is so high it makes you realize how far the global cannabis rights movement still has to go. Take Malaysia, for example.
Malaysia is notorious for its harsh drug laws
Muhammad Lukman was convicted of possessing, processing, and distributing cannabis oil and the Shah Alam High Court sentenced him to death by hanging on Aug. 30. He had 3 L of cannabis oil and 279 g of compressed cannabis.
Lukman says he was not selling the cannabis oil for a profit- it was for medical reasons and in cases when patients couldn’t afford it, he’d give it away for free. Patients also testified on how using cannabis oils improved their quality of life, but the judge ruled against it because cannabis for medical use is not recognized by the Ministry of Health (at least in Malaysia. Medical cannabis is legal in dozens of countries across the world, including Canada and parts of the USA).
Muhammad Lukman’s sentence led to intense scrutiny of Malaysia’s drug laws, and even prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said the case should be reviewed.
Nurul Izzah Anwar, a member of parliament, said:
“From the reports, it looks to be a miscarriage of justice”.
Muhammad Lukman’s lawyers have filed an appeal and there have been calls to the attorney general to reduce the sentence.
Muhammad Lukman has been quoted as saying:
“This is not the fault of the judge, he only performed his task in accordance with the written law.
I believe this is not the final verdict. If it is, Malaysia laws are cruel.”
Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act 1952
Section 39b of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 states:
(1) No person shall, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, whether or not such other person is in Malaysia—
(a) traffic in a dangerous drug;
(b) offer to traffic in a dangerous drug; or
(c) do or offer to do an act preparatory to or for the purpose of trafficking in a dangerous drug.
(2) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be punished on conviction with death.
Sign the petition to Free Muhammad Lukman
If you think this is a travesty of justice, sign the petition to Free Muhammad Lukman. As of writing, it has received over 61,000 out of its 75,000 signature goal.
Featured image courtesy of Yahoo News.
Sources
Business Insider Malaysia: Mahathir Mohamad urges review of death penalty for man who sold medicinal cannabis – here’s why.
Change.org: Free Muhammad Lukman.
The Marijuana Herald: 29-Year Old Malaysia Man Receives Death Sentence for Giving Patients Free Cannabis Oil.