A man sentenced to death in Malaysia for possessing and supplying cannabis oil is causing a stir.
Understandably so.
Canada is gearing up for recreational marijuana legalization in October. In the US, some states are warming up to the drug by legalizing medical cannabis. And when we look at the pot stock market, we can undeniably say that marijuana stocks have been performing well, as massive deals and acquisitions continue to spur on an industry now estimated at $31.4 billion USD in worth.
Such forward movement in North America makes it is very easy to forget that in 33 countries across the world, cannabis is still considered a serious offense.
Serious enough to warrant the death penalty.
Man Sentenced to Death in Malaysia
Such is the case of a man sentenced to death in Malaysia for processing cannabis oil and distributing it to patients in need.
Muhammad Lukman, a 29-year-old father of one, has been sentenced to death by hanging after he was convicted of "possessing, processing, and distributing cannabis oil."
Lukman's home was searched and officials found three liters of cannabis oil along with 279 grams of compressed cannabis.
He was sentenced by the Shah Alam High Court on August 30th.
Lukman's Good Intentions
Lukman's operation did not bring him any profits. He offered his service free of charge and served those with ailments that legal medicines were unable to treat. Despite the good intention behind his actions, his offenses fall under section 39B of Malaysia's Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Wherein it states 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."
>> Canada Cannabis: Six Nations Draft Their Own Marijuana Laws
Too Severe
Patients came forward to express gratitude for his actions and re-iterated that Lukman provided the medicine on a non-profit basis for their wellbeing. However, Prosecution argued that despite his intention, cannabis oil is considered an illegal drug and isn't recognized by the Ministry of Health or by any accredited Malaysian doctor.
As a result, pleas for a reduced sentence were ignored.
Lukman will appeal his case at the Court of Appeal.
Featured Image: Deposit Photos/Zerbor
