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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solon shares personal experience with medical cannabis: 'It works'

Solon shares personal experience with medical cannabis: 'It works'

Published Aug 1, 2023 05:10 am
(MANILA BULLETIN)




A congressman-proponent of the legalization of medical cannabis or marijuana has told a joint Hoiuse panel that he has personally experienced the efficacy of the substance. Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte made this admission Tuesday morning, Aug 1 before the joint hearing of House Committees on Dangerous Drugs and on Health. Villafuerte, author of House Bill (HB) No.4208, said he was abroad when took cannabis to relieve his "migraine and headaches". “You know, I’ve used it, I’ve tried it. Based on research abroad. It works, I have a lot of migraine symptoms, it cures us,” the Bicol solon said in his sponsorship speech on HB No.4208, which seeks to create the Philippine Cannabis Development Authority. "The Philippines, if ever we will legalize it, will not be the first Asian country doing this. In fact we are already late," he said. In calling for the legalization of the medical use of marijuana, Villafuerte said that many nations have long lifted their prohibitions on the plant, which is a known depressant. "Let's have an open mind on what other countries are doing, wag na tayong magpahuli (let's not get left behind)," said Villafuerte, majority leader of the powerful Commission on Appointments. The Villafuerte measure was one of nine bills discussed Tuesday by the joint panel. The dangerous drugs panel is chaired by Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, while the health panel is chaired by Batanes lone district Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. The eight other measures are HB Nos. 241, 2007, 4638, 4866, 7817, 243, 6783, and 7616. The various bills either seek the right of access to medical cannabis as a compassionate alternative means of medical treatment, or the removal of cannabis from the list of prohibitive substances under Republic Act (RA) No.9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Although the hearing was still ongoing as of this posting, Barbers said that a technical working group (TWG) would be formed following the proceedings to consolidate the nine bills.

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#marijuana House of Representatives medical cannabis House of the People Rep. LRay Villafuerte cannabis
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