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Manila Bulletin devider devider Catriona's Miss Universe statement, huge endorsement for medical marijuana - solon

Catriona's Miss Universe statement, huge endorsement for medical marijuana - solon

Published Dec 18, 2018 05:17 pm
By Ben Rosario The principal proponent of the legalization of medical marijuana lauded on Tuesday Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s "free endorsement" of the proposal, saying that her action will help people to better understand the “better use and advantages” of the banned substance. Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano (photo from congress.gov.ph) Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano (photo from congress.gov.ph) Isabela Rep.Rodito Albano, author of House bill 6517 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, said he was ecstatic not only because the Filipina beauty captured the Miss Universe title, but also because she had a wide understanding of the proposal. “She may not have directly endorsed the measure, but Miss Gray made many patients suffering from pain and other medical conditions happy, there are thousands of them,” said Albano. Gray’s “brave” stand on marijuana won admiration from all parts of the world that watched her win the Miss Universe pageant, according to him. “I’m for the use (of marijuana) in the medical use but not so for recreational use because I think if people were to argue what about alcohol and cigarettes, well, everything is good but in moderation,” she said on live television. Albano said Gray joined top American basketball stars of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for her “clear view of what medical marijuana is all about.” It will be recalled that Coach Steve Kerr of the two-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors supported the lifting of the league’s ban on medical cannabis for players. Albano said Kerr has predicted that the on-going move to lift the prohibition will “happen eventually.” He disclosed that Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl Anthony Towns and former NBA Commissioner David Stern also came out with statements urging the NBA to allow the use of the substance for professional cagers representing cities that where medical marijuana is legal. “Athletes who suffer from excruciating pain caused by serious sports injuries should be allowed to access medical cannabis,” said Albano. He noted that the debate on the use of lifting of medical marijuana in the NBA started when Denver Nuggets power forward Al Harrington confessed using he medicinal form of marijuana which he claimed have provided better relief than other anti-inflammatories for his knee injury. Towns, who aspired to become a doctor before being lured to the more lucrative professional basketball, said he has “seen first-hand the benefits of medical marijuana” on people facing painful physical ailment and even to autistic persons. “I know they’re supporting medicinal marijuana for pain alleviation but I don’t agree if people will mix it with recreational cannabis,” said Albano. HB 6517 provides for the compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis. It also proposes expansion of medical research into its medicinal properties. Co-authors Reps. Johnny Pimentel (PDP-Laban, Surigao del Sur) and Tom Villarin (Akbayan Partylist) backed Albano’s statement. Pimentel said developments in the NBA on the use of medical cannabis provide a strong argument for the approval of HB 6517 which will undergo plenary deliberation in the House of Representatives in the next few days. Towns said the “(chemical) properties’ of marijuana make people better, apparently referring to those suffering from pain due to serious ailments. Current NBA Commissioner Adam Silvers admitted that allowing NBA players access to medical cannabis was "something we will look at.”
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