On to the senate for House Bill 6517
The Philippines House of Representatives approved on 29th January the final reading of a bill allowing the use of medical marijuana.
With 163 affirmative votes, five against and three abstentions, the chamber approved House Bill 6517 or the proposed Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act.
It will legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis or marijuana, in the treatment of chronic or debilitating medical conditions such as arthritis, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
Under the law, doctors licensed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency can prescribe the use of medical marijuana for qualified patients diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, who will benefit or receive therapeutic or palliative benefits.
The bill provides that medical marijuana will be accessed from accredited hospitals, as well as Medical Cannabis Compassionate Centers that will be established throughout the country.
The bill now advances to the Senate, which also supports the legislation, so it should reach Duterte’s desk for final approval shortly. When it’s signed, the Philippines will officially join the Southeast Asian countries that have also recently moved to legalize medical marijuana.
Source – CNN Philippines
Image – GAD-BM(p)
The most interesting thing about this news is that medical marijuana will soon be legalized in the Philippines under the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act for use by patients with debilitating diseases. Should Uncle George go on vacation in the world-famous white beach of Boracay, he’d have to get his supply of medicinal marijuana from accredited hospitals and Medical Cannabis Compassionate Centers. This ought to be really cool, especially since he won’t be able to get his refills from dispensaries when he travels. He needs medicinal marijuana for the excruciating pain he suffers from having broken kneecaps.