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IT'S HIGH time.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's son Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Macapagal-Arroyo (Lakas, Pampanga) is supporting a proposal to relax the country's tough laws on marijuana and even cultivate cannabis in the world-famous Banaue rice terraces.
But before you potheads light up a joint in celebration, this is what Arroyo said on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday night.
"If it is strictly regulated and for medicinal purposes, then if you would allow me the privilege of co-sponsoring your bill, of course, it will be an honor and a privilege to work with you, sir," Arroyo said in response to a query by Liberal Party Rep. Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao, where centuries-old rice terraces coexist with illegal marijuana plantations.
Chungalao asked Arroyo if he was in favor of legalizing marijuana "on a limited aspect for use of laboratories to produce medicines." Arroyo had just finished his sponsorship of the proposed 2005 budget of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Chungalao told Arroyo that he was filing a bill to legalize marijuana and asked the Pampanga congressman if he would co-sponsor the measure.
World Heritage site
And if Chungalao would have his way, his constituents would also be planting marijuana on the rice terraces, which has been declared a World Heritage site.
"If we can perhaps allow the legalization of this high-value crop, we can even plant it on the terraces and we can preserve perhaps our rice terraces," the Ifugao congressman said.
Marijuana produces chemicals that ease the pain of cancer patients and victims of trauma, and its use for medicinal purposes has been approved in other countries.
Under Republic Act No. 9165, however, possession of 500 grams of marijuana is punishable by death. Possession of five to 499 grams is punishable with life imprisonment, while possession of cannabis weighing less than five grams is punishable with a 12-year jail term.
OK in other countries
Arroyo told Chungalao that "in other countries, marijuana intake is allowed."
In the Netherlands, for instance, foreign tourists and locals alike may buy and smoke marijuana in coffee shops. But that is not exactly what Arroyo had in mind in endorsing the relaxation of the tough laws on marijuana.
"If it is genuinely for medicinal purposes and it is controlled strictly or regulated, maybe we can consider that idea," Arroyo said.
Chungalao was elated by Arroyo's response.
"The reason I asked this question is in the Cordilleras, production of rice is even perhaps not sufficient to feed our own constituents," Chungalao said.
High-value crop
"So if it would be legalized, you know, marijuana is perhaps the only high-value crop that can be produced in the Cordilleras," Chungalao said.
Chungalao also said that even if the national government stopped providing financial support to the Cordilleras, marijuana plantations would be able to fund projects in the region.
Earlier, Cebu City Councilor Noel de Jesus, a medical doctor accredited with the Dangerous Drugs Board, called for the "decriminalization" of marijuana.
By Carlito Pablo
Inquirer News Service
https://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=19312
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's son Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Macapagal-Arroyo (Lakas, Pampanga) is supporting a proposal to relax the country's tough laws on marijuana and even cultivate cannabis in the world-famous Banaue rice terraces.
But before you potheads light up a joint in celebration, this is what Arroyo said on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday night.
"If it is strictly regulated and for medicinal purposes, then if you would allow me the privilege of co-sponsoring your bill, of course, it will be an honor and a privilege to work with you, sir," Arroyo said in response to a query by Liberal Party Rep. Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao, where centuries-old rice terraces coexist with illegal marijuana plantations.
Chungalao asked Arroyo if he was in favor of legalizing marijuana "on a limited aspect for use of laboratories to produce medicines." Arroyo had just finished his sponsorship of the proposed 2005 budget of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Chungalao told Arroyo that he was filing a bill to legalize marijuana and asked the Pampanga congressman if he would co-sponsor the measure.
World Heritage site
And if Chungalao would have his way, his constituents would also be planting marijuana on the rice terraces, which has been declared a World Heritage site.
"If we can perhaps allow the legalization of this high-value crop, we can even plant it on the terraces and we can preserve perhaps our rice terraces," the Ifugao congressman said.
Marijuana produces chemicals that ease the pain of cancer patients and victims of trauma, and its use for medicinal purposes has been approved in other countries.
Under Republic Act No. 9165, however, possession of 500 grams of marijuana is punishable by death. Possession of five to 499 grams is punishable with life imprisonment, while possession of cannabis weighing less than five grams is punishable with a 12-year jail term.
OK in other countries
Arroyo told Chungalao that "in other countries, marijuana intake is allowed."
In the Netherlands, for instance, foreign tourists and locals alike may buy and smoke marijuana in coffee shops. But that is not exactly what Arroyo had in mind in endorsing the relaxation of the tough laws on marijuana.
"If it is genuinely for medicinal purposes and it is controlled strictly or regulated, maybe we can consider that idea," Arroyo said.
Chungalao was elated by Arroyo's response.
"The reason I asked this question is in the Cordilleras, production of rice is even perhaps not sufficient to feed our own constituents," Chungalao said.
High-value crop
"So if it would be legalized, you know, marijuana is perhaps the only high-value crop that can be produced in the Cordilleras," Chungalao said.
Chungalao also said that even if the national government stopped providing financial support to the Cordilleras, marijuana plantations would be able to fund projects in the region.
Earlier, Cebu City Councilor Noel de Jesus, a medical doctor accredited with the Dangerous Drugs Board, called for the "decriminalization" of marijuana.
By Carlito Pablo
Inquirer News Service
https://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=19312
