Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Pronouncements from no less than President Duterte encouraged a lawmaker to refile a bill that would pave the way for the legalized medical use of marijuana.
Isabela 1st district Rep. Rodolfo Albano III has refiled the proposed "Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act," as embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 180.
Meantime, a panel of health experts was recently formed and is now checking the health benefits of cannabis or marijuana.
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said that there are already experts looking into the supposed health benefits of marijuana.
"Actually meron nang nabuo [na medical marijuana panel]. Kasi hindi ako clinician, wala akong idea sa medical marijuana but narinig ko na ang iba't-ibang grupo na it has medicinal benefits so yon ang titingnan natin. Parang meron medical benefits pero hindi siya subject to abuse (Actually a medical marijuana panel was already formed. I'm not a clinician so I do not have an idea on medical marijuana, but I've been hearing groups claiming that it has medical benefits but it's not a subject to abuse)," Ubial said.
DUTERTE'S STAND
Last May, then President-elect Duterte revealed his support for medical marijuana, and said the plant is actually used as an ingredient in modern medicine.
"There are medicines right now being developed or already in the market that contains marijuana as a component," then Davao City Mayor Duterte said, a few days after clinching the presidency with a landslide victory.
Duterte, however, clarified that he did not plan to legalize marijuana or cannabis, which is sometimes abused for its mental and physical effects.
REGULATION IS KEY
Albano said his renewed attempt at the bill should not be deemed in any manner to advocate, authorize, promote, or legally or socially accept the use of cannabis for any non-medical use.
"For this reason, the bill provides for control measures and regulation on the medical use of cannabis to ensure patient's safety and for effective and efficient implementation of the Act," he said.
The lawmaker said the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is provided for by both existing international and national laws.
LAWS CITED
For one, he said the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol provides in its Preamble: "Recognizing that the medical use of narcotic drugs continues to be indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering and that adequate provisions must be made to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs for such purposes."
Meanwhile, Albano said the "Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" recognized the medical use of drugs classified as dangerous drugs, including marijuana, when it said in Section 2: "The government shall, however aim to achieve a balance in the national drug control program so that people with legitimate medical needs are not prevented from being treated with adequate amounts of appropriate medications, which include the use of dangerous drugs."
'MEDICAL BENEFITS'
Thousands of patients suffering from serious and debilitating diseases in the Philippines would benefit from legalizing the medical use of cannabis, he noted.
Recent studies, he 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," said Albano.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Bill Refiled - DOH Forms Research Team
Author: Ellson A. Quismorio and Charina Clarisse L. Echaluce
Contact: (632) 527-8121
Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan
Website: Manila Bulletin
Isabela 1st district Rep. Rodolfo Albano III has refiled the proposed "Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act," as embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 180.
Meantime, a panel of health experts was recently formed and is now checking the health benefits of cannabis or marijuana.
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said that there are already experts looking into the supposed health benefits of marijuana.
"Actually meron nang nabuo [na medical marijuana panel]. Kasi hindi ako clinician, wala akong idea sa medical marijuana but narinig ko na ang iba't-ibang grupo na it has medicinal benefits so yon ang titingnan natin. Parang meron medical benefits pero hindi siya subject to abuse (Actually a medical marijuana panel was already formed. I'm not a clinician so I do not have an idea on medical marijuana, but I've been hearing groups claiming that it has medical benefits but it's not a subject to abuse)," Ubial said.
DUTERTE'S STAND
Last May, then President-elect Duterte revealed his support for medical marijuana, and said the plant is actually used as an ingredient in modern medicine.
"There are medicines right now being developed or already in the market that contains marijuana as a component," then Davao City Mayor Duterte said, a few days after clinching the presidency with a landslide victory.
Duterte, however, clarified that he did not plan to legalize marijuana or cannabis, which is sometimes abused for its mental and physical effects.
REGULATION IS KEY
Albano said his renewed attempt at the bill should not be deemed in any manner to advocate, authorize, promote, or legally or socially accept the use of cannabis for any non-medical use.
"For this reason, the bill provides for control measures and regulation on the medical use of cannabis to ensure patient's safety and for effective and efficient implementation of the Act," he said.
The lawmaker said the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is provided for by both existing international and national laws.
LAWS CITED
For one, he said the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol provides in its Preamble: "Recognizing that the medical use of narcotic drugs continues to be indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering and that adequate provisions must be made to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs for such purposes."
Meanwhile, Albano said the "Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" recognized the medical use of drugs classified as dangerous drugs, including marijuana, when it said in Section 2: "The government shall, however aim to achieve a balance in the national drug control program so that people with legitimate medical needs are not prevented from being treated with adequate amounts of appropriate medications, which include the use of dangerous drugs."
'MEDICAL BENEFITS'
Thousands of patients suffering from serious and debilitating diseases in the Philippines would benefit from legalizing the medical use of cannabis, he noted.
Recent studies, he 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," said Albano.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Bill Refiled - DOH Forms Research Team
Author: Ellson A. Quismorio and Charina Clarisse L. Echaluce
Contact: (632) 527-8121
Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan
Website: Manila Bulletin
