PETALING JAYA: Social media users are calling for the laws to be amended to allow the medical use of marijuana to be legalised.
This follows Muhammad Lukman's death sentence for possessing, processing and distributing medical marijuana (cannabis oil).
On Facebook Monday (Sept 17), Noel Leong said it was better to change the laws and decriminalise some “recreational” drugs.
"Malaysia has one of the strictest drug laws in the world, yet it seems that we can’t win the war on drugs. It’s time for a rethink and decriminalise some 'recreational' drugs," he said.
Koo Yoon Boon echoed Leong's sentiments, saying that the current laws in the country were "primitive" which were inherited from the colonial days.
He called on lawmakers to accept the medical properties of marijuana.
Kev Mering added that if Muhammad Lukman was unable to be a free man, thus certain laws needed to be reviewed.
"Malaysia needs to keep abreast of the changing times now that we understand things better. Marijuana is no worse than alcohol but it does need control and regulation," he said.
Meanwhile, Antaff Darius said if Muhammad Lukman's death sentence was upheld, Malaysians and the country would regret its decision in the future.
"The new government should do something fast to legalise and (enable) the strict of licensing of cannabis oil for medical purposes," he said.
Eddie Lai said it would be a miscarriage of justice if Muhammad Lukman was punished and had called for his release.
"Cannabis oil is proven to cure cancer and this is something that giant pharmaceutical companies do not want to acknowledge. US$107bil (RM442.74bil) is spent on cancer drugs globally and cannabis will cut into their earnings," he claimed.
Azmi Mamat said that Malaysians sometimes need to use their "brains" to differentiate between drug trafficking and prescribed drugs for medical purposes especially those that help people in need.
"If we don't use our brains, maybe we might commit injustice to those who are innocent," he said.
Muhammad Lukman, a 29-year-old father of one, was arrested in December 2015 for the possession of 3.1 litres of cannabis oil, 279 grams of compressed cannabis and 1.4kg of substance containing tetrahydrocan nabinol (THC).
He was nabbed by the police along with his five-month pregnant wife, who was freed later, during a raid at his home.
He was handed the death sentence by the Shah Alam High Court on Aug 30.
A petition calling for the release of Muhammad Lukman has been making rounds in social media with 41,137 signatures as of Monday.
Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar had also said that she will be writing an appeal to Attorney General Tommy Thomas to seek for a pardon for Muhammad Lukman.
Nurul Izzah has labelled his death sentence as a miscarriage of justice.
