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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bill legalizing medical cannabis reaches Senate plenary

Bill legalizing medical cannabis reaches Senate plenary

Published Mar 21, 2024 08:50 am

At A Glance

  • The controversial bill seeking to legalize access to medical cannabis or medical marijuana is now up for plenary deliberations in the Senate.

The controversial bill seeking to legalize access to medical cannabis or medical marijuana is now up for plenary deliberations in the Senate.

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 Sen. Robinhood Padilla wants to allow the use of medical cannabis as he pushes the passage of Senate Bill No. 2573 or the Cannabis Medicalization Act of the Philippines. (Senate PRIB photo)

Sen. Robinhood Padilla sponsored Senate Bill 2573 (Cannabis Medicalization Act of the Philippines) on Wednesday, March 20, stating that medical cannabis can be an affordable alternative to synthetic drugs - and minus the side effects.

"Wala na po sigurong pangarap ang bawat isang miyembro ng lupon na ito bilang mga halal ng taumbayan kundi makitang ang bawat Pilipino ay may epektibo at pantay na access sa de-kalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Ika nga po ng isinisigaw ng United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Leave No One Behind. Sa wikang Filipino: Walang maiiwanan (There is no other dream by members of the Senate as elected public servants but to see effective and equal access to quality health services. As the the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goes, Leave No One Behind. In Filipino, Walang maiiwanan)," he said.

"Napapanahon na po siguro upang dinggin natin ang hinaing ng mga magulang at pasyente na nagsusumamo upang maging legal na ang access sa lunas na kanilang lubhang kinakailangan (It is time we hear the cries of parents and patients for legal access to such needed treatment)," he added.

Padilla, citing his experience as an action star and stuntman, cited several injuries such as undisplaced neck fracture, third-degree burns, broken ankle, and even backbone injuries where synthetic drugs prescribed by doctors may have side effects.

He said he incorporated into the bill several details from his recent study tour in Israel where he saw how the government there enforced and limited access to medical cannabis.

Under the bill, a Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority (PMCA) shall be created under the Department of Health (DOH), and will follow the structure of the Israel Medical Cannabis Agency (IMCA) under the Israel Ministry of Health in issuing permits and licenses for the use of medical cannabis.

The PMCA will draw up a Comprehensive Cannabis Medicalization Plan; regulations for the medical use of cannabis; a monitoring and regulating system for medical cannabis; and issue licenses for registered entities for the medical cannabis industry. It shall also provide for research and development on medical cannabis.

Also, a Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee (MCAC) led by the DOH Secretary as ex-officio chairperson shall be created. Its members include the Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Directors-General of the FDA and PDEA, and Secretaries of Science and Technology and Agriculture.

Qualified patients are those diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions and can receive therapeutic and palliative benefits from medical cannabis.

"Binibigyang-linaw po natin na ang medical cannabis ay complementary treatment na isasabay sa mga gamot na sadyang ginagamit na ng isang pasyente (We are making clear that medical cannabis is a complementary treatment to the medicines prescribed for a patient)," he said.

Patients are to register with the PMCA for an ID number and registry card with QR code.

Safeguards are also in place for the issuance and revocation of prescriptions.

Meanwhile, the list of medical cannabis products to be legalized will be limited to edibles, pills, oil, tincture, flower, topicals, and inhalers. Strict regulations will also govern the importation of such products.

Also, electronic monitoring systems shall be put in place for the cultivation of cannabis.

Patients cannot sell medical cannabis or use it with intoxicating and dangerous substances; while doctors cannot prescribe medical cannabis without the proper license.

"Ang inihahain pong batas ng inyong lingkod ay hango sa pag-aaral, pagsasaliksik, testimonya ng mga doktor at eksperto mula sa iba’t-ibang panig ng daigdig na may sapat na kaalaman at best practices sa pagpapatupad nito (The measure I am presenting is based on careful study and on testimonies from doctors and experts worldwide; as well as best practices)," Padilla stressed.

Related Tags

medical marijuana medical cannabis Department of Health (DOH) Senator Robin Padilla
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