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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Here's why solon believes 19th Congress will end with OK'd medical marijuana measure 

Here's why solon believes 19th Congress will end with OK'd medical marijuana measure 

Published Jun 2, 2024 04:34 am

At A Glance

  • Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is optimistic that a measure legalizing medical cannabis of marijuana will get approved before the end of the 19th Congress. 

For tourism's sake: Villafuerte backs call for LGUs to ease entry restrictionsCamarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Facebook)

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is optimistic that a measure legalizing medical cannabis of marijuana will get approved before the end of the 19th Congress.

This, as Villafuerte insisted on Sunday, June 2 on the efficacy pf cannabidiol (CBD)--the non-addictive active ingredient of the cannabis sativa or marijuana plant--as treatment for certain severe illnesses.

“We are upbeat about the bill legalizing the medical use of CBD getting the final nod of both the House and the Senate when the 19th Congress reopens for its third and final session in July,” said Villafuerte, one of the lead authors of the House-passed substitute House Bill (HB) No. 10439.

Titled, "An Act providing right of access to medical cannabis, establishing the Medical Cannabis Office and providing funds therefor", the bill was approved on second reading just before the House of Representatives adjourned sine die last May 22.

The third regular session, which will start on July 22, marks the final year of the current 19th Congress.

Villafuerte’s earlier legislative proposals on legalizing medical cannabis were passed on third and final reading by the House in the 17th Congress, and approved at the House committee’s technical working group (TWG) level in the 18th Congress.

The proposals got stuck there in the House due to the absence of approved counterpart bills in the Senate.

This time, however, Villafuerte expects the proposed legalization bill to move forward in July as the Senate version of the bill has already been passed at the committee level and is due for plenary deliberations in that chamber.

Both the House and Senate versions propose the creation of a Medical Cannabis Authority to oversee the licensing and use of CBD oil for medical purposes.

Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—another active ingredient of cannabis sativa—CBD oil does not have any of the intoxicating or psychoactive qualities of THC, according to Villafuerte.

Thus, it is safe for use to alleviate conditions like migraines, epilepsy, auto-immune diseases, multiple sclerosis and pain in end-stage cancer.

HB No.10439 was endorsed for plenary approval by the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chaired by Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and the House Committee on Health chaired by Batanes lone district Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr.

Related Tags

19th Congress medical cannabis MARIJUANA lray villafuerte
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