The Phillipines Votes to Legalize Medical Cannabis
Photo by Jimaggro
The Philippine House of Representatives endorsed the use of medical cannabis, just one day after voting to reinstate the death penalty for drug-related offences. Possession of recreational cannabis, however, will result in life imprisonment under the reinstated death penalty law. The inclusion of cannabis as a viable medical treatment is a positive step for a nation that is scarred by constant appalling drug violence.
House Bill 180 would designate the role of a qualified medical cannabis physician, and implement ID cards for qualified medical cannabis patients. Medical cannabis would be strictly regulated under the nation’s Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.
The final version of the bill was authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III. “I have high hopes under the Duterte administration that this measure would be enacted into law. Finally, there is hope for our people, especially our children, who suffer from medical conditions like epilepsy, cancer and multiple sclerosis,” he told the PhilStar. “Unlike many medical professionals, President Duterte has an open mind on medical cannabis,” Albano said.
The bill is also backed by the Philippine Cancer Society. Its members believe that medical cannabis has the potential to treat patients suffering from certain medical issues. Cannabis remains illegal under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
Under Duterte’s hard line approach to the nation’s drug war, 6,000 drug dealers have been killed in the span of only six months. That number has since climbed to over 7,000 extra-judicial drug-related deaths. Duterte surprised everyone, however, with his willingness to embrace medical cannabis. Duterte admitted that medical cannabis may be helpful while he was mayor of Davao City. “If you just smoke it like a cigarette, I will not allow it, ever,” Duterte said. “It remains to be a prohibited item and there’s always a threat of being arrested. If you choose to fight the law enforcement agency, you die.” The death penalty for drug possession, including cannabis, was removed from the third and final version of the death penalty bill and replaced with the punishment of life imprisonment.
