Nurul Izzah to seek pardon for medical marijuana distributor

PETALING JAYA: Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar will be writing an appeal to Attorney General Tommy Thomas seeking a pardon for Muhammad Lukman, who was recently sentenced to death for possessing, processing and distributing medical marijuana (cannabis oil).

“Yes, we are following up. Personally speaking, I am writing an appeal to the AG - first and foremost to secure a pardon based on the merits of his case and predicament.

“While at the same time, cannabis is becoming increasingly accepted in many countries as a plant with various benefits, particularly the treatment of various chronic diseases,” wrote the authors of the petition.

“It’s time for us to review the definition of what distinguishes an individual, a distributor, an addict, or a genuine patient that needs cannabis for treatment.”

On Sept 9, his lawyer Farhan Maaruf told The Star that Lukman only wanted to assist patients who are suffering from ailments that can be treated by THC, an active ingredient in cannabis.

Lukman had no intention whatsoever to distribute or “push” cannabis on the streets, his lawyer Farhan said.

Lukman’s case is not the only one of its kind as Amiruddin @ Nadarajan Abdullah, who is known as Dr Ganja, is facing 36 charges and the death sentence for similar offences. His advocates claim he has helped treat more than 800 people.

Under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, individuals caught possessing 200 grams or more of cannabis, will be charged under drug trafficking, which carries the death penalty.

However, in many developed countries, the trend is to decriminalise and even legalise marijuana, particularly for medical purposes.

Apart from the Netherlands, on October 17, 2018, Canada will legalise recreational marijuana in full.

In Argentina, the government has been providing medical marijuana since March 2017 while it has been legal in Australia for the last two years. In Uruguay, you can buy it from regular pharmacies.

Switzerland and Russia have also decriminalised marijuana in small amounts. Similarly, laws on it have been relaxed in 17 US states, including California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Washington.