MALAYSIA: DEATH SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO GAVE PATIENTS FREE CANNABIS OIL

August 30, 2018:

A man was sentenced to death in Malaysia for processing cannabis oil and distributing it to patients in need.
The Shah Alam High Court sentenced Muhammad Lukman to death by hanging, after he was convicted of possessing, processing, and distributing cannabis oil. Three litres of cannabis oil and 279 grams of compressed cannabis were found in his home, according to local sources.
Lukman, a 29-year-old father of one, provided cannabis oil to patients who were suffering from ailments that were difficult to treat with legal medicines. Lukman did not profit from this, and would provide cannabis oil for free to patients who could not afford it. Despite the lack of financial gain from his endeavour, his offences fall under section 39B of Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. This stipulates that “Any person who [traffics an illegal drug] shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be punished on conviction with death”.
Lukman will appeal his sentence at the Court of Appeal.