(MANILA BULLETIN)

Members of the so-called “Young Guns” in the House of Representatives told the public to be cautious with the emergence of marijuana-infused vapes and e-cigarettes.

In a press conference on Wednesday, March 20, the young lawmakers stressed the need for stricter safeguards as illegal drug manufacturers have been finding “creative ways” to spread their nefarious products.

“As technology advances, nagiging creative din itong mga illegal drug dealers (illegal drug dealers are also getting creative). So in a way not to be identified…pinapasok nila sa (they put them in) vapes, making it appear that this is just a usual e-cigarette,” Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Jil Bongalon said.

Bongalon said this should warrant an investigation from Congress to discover the manufacturers, suppliers, and other personalities behind marijuana-laced vapes.

He gave this remark in relation to the public advisory of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) amid the upsurge of vaping products with marijuana oil.

PDEA specifically warned about the health hazards of the product, “and most importantly the law [that] explicitly prohibits it”.

Bongalon says this should serve as a reminder to everyone, especially the youth and students, that the use of marijuana continues to be illegal.

“Another issue which is to be considered [are] the law enforcement agencies. We should always be one step ahead against these drug dealers in our fight against illegal drugs,” the solon added.

Assistant Majority Leader and La Union 1st district Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega, meanwhile, suggested that once the House of Representatives starts its probe, it should consider other means in cracking down on manufacturers of the said vapes.

“In Singapore, the country even goes as far as yung bansa dinidemanda po yung mga kumpanya na nagdidistribute po ng ganiyan (suing the companies that distribute the product itself). Baka (Maybe) we can explore things like that,” he explained.

In a similar vein, Davao Oriental 2nd district Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario proposed that the Philippines’ enforcement agencies should mirror “what is being practiced” abroad to have a clearer picture on what guidelines must be enforced in the country.