Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla is eyeing Israel as a model for the Philippines in allowing the use of cannabis (marijuana) strictly for medical purposes, as well as in preventing its misuse or abuse.
Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla (Senate PRIB Photo)
Padilla, who chaired Thursday, July 13, the hearing of the Senate Health sub-committee tackling Senate Bill 230 (Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act), said he gained much insight after he and his technical team visited Israel for a "study tour" last May 1-3.
"Kilala po ang Israel bilang isa sa mga bansang mayroong pinaka-maayos at pinaka malinaw na batas at regulasyon sa medical cannabis (Israel is renowned as a country with the clearest laws and regulations on medical cannabis).Sila rin po ang may pinaka mayabong na pag-aaral at pananaliksik ukol dito (They have the most comprehensive research on the matter). At kung usapin lang din ng law enforcement o pagpapatupad ng batas, wala nang mas hihigpit pa sa Israel. Ang ating nasaliksik sa Israel ay isasama natin sa ating balangkas na batas na tugma din sa pangangailangan ng medical cannabis dito sa atin (On the enforcement of laws, nothing can beat Israel. What we learned from our study tour of Israel, we will include in our proposed measure on medical cannabis in the Philippines)," he said.
He said the Israel Ministry of Health and Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency made their study tour very productive, with the Israel Medical Cannabis Agency governing the regulations and permits in the supply chain.
He also cited the strict law enforcement procedures in tracking the use of medical cannabis.
Padilla, likewise, reiterated he is after the use of cannabis only for medical purposes and never for recreational use.
"Ang ating adhikain ay klaro – na ang cannabis na ating pinag-uusapan ngayon ay bilang isang pang-gamot – medikal. At hindi para sa recreational katulad ng nasa The Netherlands at iba pang bansa (Our objective is clear. We are for the use of cannabis for medical purposes, not recreational like in The Netherlands)," he stressed.
He also reiterated his appeal to the public to keep an open mind on the medical use of cannabis.
"Obligasyon po natin bilang isang mambabatas na punuan ito - na bigyan ng kalayaang mamili ang may karamdaman ng paraan ng paggagamot na sa tingin niya ay nararapat sa kanya, kaagapay ng prescription ng kanyang doktor (Our obligation as lawmakers is to allow people the freedom to choose their method of therapy that they think is best, and in accordance to the prescription of their doctors)," he said.
During the sub-committee hearing, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito says he is interested in hearing the guidelines of the different government agencies on the use of cannabis as an alternative medical treatment.
“I would like to reiterate that we are for medical use and compassionate use and not for recreational use. If this will help or lessen the illness or sickness….as I related my story previously,’’ he said.
‘’I have an epileptic relative and every time he was given cannabis, he did not have a seizure. If this could help cancer patients or those with neurological disorders,” Ejercito said.
He emphasized that there should be safety nets and safeguards in place so cannabis will not be used other than medical treatment.