Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated that he is open to the proposal authorizing the use of medical marijuana in the Philippines, provided that there is proper regulation .

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said that as long as the measure seeking to recognize medical marijuana as a compassionate alternative means of medical treatment will have stringent safeguards in place, he would support such policy.

I am very much open, but I want to emphasize the importance of proper regulation if we are to allow and support medical marijuana,” Go said during the subcommittee hearing on the bill.

“Hindi lang medikal ang pinag-uusapan dito, kundi pati kung papaano mare-regulate ng maayos at hindi po maaabuso ang paggamit ng cannabis (We’re not just discussing about the medical benefits, but also how we can regulate properly to ensure that the use of cannabis won’t be abused),” the senator said.

Go said that the anti-illegal drugs campaign of former administration of President Rodrigo Duterte was intense, so it is important that it is not neglected and that negative elements would not take advantage of the measure once it is passed into law.

“Importante rin sa atin na mabalanse ang interes ng nakararami. Importante ang kalusugan. Importante rin ang peace and order. At importante po ang rule of law. Lahat ng ito ay mga aspeto na dapat ikonsidera sa pagpasa ng panukalang ito (It is also important for us to balance the interests of the majority. Health is important. Peace and order is also important. And the rule of law is important. All of these are aspects that should be considered in passing this proposal),” he said.

“Proteksyunan natin ang buhay ng tao na kailangan ng ganitong uri ng gamot pero proteksyunan din natin ang buhay ng pwedeng maging biktima dahil sa mga maaaring maging abuso nito (Let's protect the lives of people who need this type of medicine, but let's also protect the lives of those who can become victims because of those who can abuse it),” he stressed.

Go stressed he would listen to all sides and learn from the discussions in the Senate, because even former president Duterte is also open to the bill even though he has a hardline stance against illegal drugs.

“I am for its medical use so I am open to proposals on how we can regulate medical marijuana in such a way there are enough safeguards. Pag-aralan po natin ng mabuti (Let’s study it carefully). Even former president Rodrigo Duterte has previously expressed openness for the use of medical marijuana subject to proper regulation,” the lawmaker pointed out.