A group of people who described themselves as "patients" of a former military man charged with possession of cannabis products turned up at the Klang Magistrate’s Court today in a show of support for the accused.

The group filled up the public gallery to see Amiruddin @ Nadarajan Abdullah, 58, better known by his online moniker "Dr Ganja," when he was brought to the dock.

Among the group were an eight-year-old boy and a 51-year-old grandmother. Many of them were colour coordinated, with one woman sporting a green headscarf and a man in a bright green jubah.

Several times during the proceedings, the accused – himself clad in a green T-shirt bearing the words "Live forever" – gave the gallery the thumbs up.

When met outside the courtroom, most of Amiruddin's supporters said they had turned to him for help out of desperation, or due to their belief in alternative medicine.

A man, who wished to be known only as Razlan, said Amiruddin had helped his son, aged eight years, who was suffering from autism.

He said Amiruddin had sold him milk that was fortified with various ingredients, including THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical compound found in cannabis.

"For two weeks we quarantined our son at home and gave him a spoonful of milk every morning and evening.

"One week after that, we discovered that he could suddenly say words that we used in our everyday conversation with him," Razlan said.

He was present at the court complex along with his wife and child. They were all wearing T-shirts with the words "Why autism is pushing legalisation."

Apart from his son waking up hungry or thirsty, Razlan said he saw no other ill-effects displayed by his son during those two weeks.

"That is why I came here today to tell people that there should be no problem in using cannabis for legitimate medical treatment," he said.

Another medical marijuana advocate, who wished to be known only as Rahmah, said she wanted to show her support for Amiruddin because she recognised the benefits of cannabis oil.

She said she has been using cannabis oil to treat her two boys. Her eldest, 10, has been diagnosed with chronic asthma, while the youngest, 8, has a speech impediment due to autism.

"After using 15ml of canna oil, I have personally seen how it stimulated my second son's brain and his speech has improved," she said.

Rahmah said she also uses medical marijuana for some of her personal ailments, and said it was difficult to procure cannabis oil in Malaysia currently.

She hoped that the federal government would take heed of research carried out around the world on the use of cannabis-related treatments.

'Not a stoner'

A grandmother, who wished to be known only as Halimah, said she began using cannabis as a treatment after discovering a cyst in her right breast, and to soothe rashes found on her grandchildren.

She said she learned about Amiruddin's services online, and procured two bottles of cannabis oil. She explained that the oil was applied in small quantities under the tongue, using a dropper.

In the weeks that followed, she said, the mammogram showed that the cyst had shrunk.

"Even my 26-year-old daughter who suffered from Bell's palsy had used it to good effect.

"But I'm not a stoner," said Halimah, who said she had to hide her cannabis use from her family members due to fear of being stigmatised.

Amiruddin has been charged with 14 counts of cannabis possession, with a combined weight of 97.995kg, at his home in Kampung Delek Dalam, Klang, on May 26 last year.

If convicted under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Amiruddin will face the mandatory death sentence.

The case was set for mention before Magistrate Nor Asma Ahmad today, but was postponed to Feb 7.

Amiruddin is represented by Samantha Chong.