A senior deputy minority leader strongly opposed on Monday the passage of a measure decriminalizing the use of marijuana.
Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza of Buhay said the Philippine Medical Association has rejected the House Bill (HB) 6517 outright, declaring marijuana “contrary to the policy of the State to safeguard the well-being of its citizenry”.
“If other countries wish to destroy themselves by enabling medical marijuana, then let them create their own problems. We Filipinos certainly do not want to degenerate into a nation of zombies,” Atienza said.
HB 6517 Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, which is pending for the second-reading approval, seeks to amend Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which classifies marijuana or cannabis as a dangerous drug.
Currently, marijuana is classified as a prohibited substance, just like methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, cocaine and heroin, under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Under the law, possession of at least 500 grams of marijuana, or at least 10 grams of marijuana concentrate (resin or resin oil), is punishable by life imprisonment, plus a fine of up to P10 million. Carrying lesser quantities of the drug is punishable by 12 to 20 years in prison, plus a fine of up to P500,000.
“We expect the bill to be put to the floor when Congress resumes session next month, and we intend to fight it off forcefully,” Atienza said.
“Advocates of the bill argue that Filipino families should be allowed to use marijuana to provide artificial, mind-altering ‘highs’ to depressed teenagers, as well as children, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, when what these vulnerable kids truly need and deserve is extra loving care and emotional support,” Atienza said.
The lawmaker also warned that criminal drug traffickers are bound to exploit “medical marijuana” as a mere cover to boost the recreational use of the drug and enlarge their nefarious trade.
“What makes marijuana even more menacing is that many young Filipinos are known to first experiment on the substance, before they eventually use harder drugs,” Atienza said.
“Marijuana is a gateway drug. Pushers in schools purposely use marijuana to entice students to use drugs for the first time, before they are introduced to shabu,” the lawmaker added.
Moreover, Atienza said the World Health Organization considers marijuana an extremely harmful substance that produces in users a dangerous dependency.
For his part, Rep. Rodolfo T. Albano III of the First District of Isabela, principal author of the bill, said his proposal seeks to provide compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis and expand research into its medicinal properties.
However, Albano said the bill should not be deemed in any manner to advocate, authorize, promote or legally or socially accept the use of cannabis or marijuana for any nonmedical use.
Albano called on his colleagues “to decide based on evidence”, citing the numerous clinical trials around the world that have shown the safety and efficacy of cannabis and its therapeutic and palliative effects.
He added his bill does not decriminalize the use of marijuana, except for medicinal purposes for qualified patients certified by licensed S2 doctors, who have assessed their medical history and current medical conditions.
Neither does it allow smoking of cannabis and its recreational use continues to be prohibited by law. And it can be dispensed only by hospital-based Medical Cannabis Compassionate Centers through licensed S3 pharmacists, Albano added.
According to Albano, research and safety of medical cannabis will be ensured through licensed Medical Cannabis Research and Safety Compliance Centers licensed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
He also underscored that his proposed measure does not amend or in any way contravene the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which recognize the medical use of drugs, including cannabis.
Recent studies, Albano said, show that cannabis has established effects on control of epileptic seizures, pain management in multiple sclerosis and arthritis, treatment of symptoms associated with HIV-AIDS and palliative care in end-stage cancer treatment.
“Potential medical effects based on clinical trials include prevention of cancer from spreading, management of anxiety, slows progression of Alzheimer’s disease and control of muscle spasms and tremors. Cannabis use in children with epilepsy and seizure disorders have been shown to be effective without the deleterious side effects of anti-epileptic medications,” Albano said.
