A groundbreaking move in Philippine legislation unfolds as 13 senators signed the Senate committee report on the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Spearheaded by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, the bill acknowledges marijuana’s therapeutic potential and proposes the creation of a Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority under the Department of Health.
Jointly crafted by the Senate committees on health, public order and finance, the report submitted on February 26 outlines a comprehensive framework for the use of medical marijuana.
The signatories include Senators Bong Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Lito Lapid, Raffy Tulfo, Ramon Revilla Jr., Aquilino Pimentel III, Joel Villanueva, and Grace Poe.
While some senators signed with reservations, promising amendments during interpellation, others expressed support for the bill with the intent to propose changes.
If passed, the legislation would enable licensed physicians to prescribe medical marijuana for the treatment of debilitating diseases. Moreover, it legalizes the cultivation and manufacturing of marijuana for pharmaceutical purposes, fostering research and development within the industry.
Dispensaries would be authorized to sell various forms of medical marijuana products, including edibles, pills, oils, tinctures, flowers, topicals, and inhalers. However, non-medical use, such as recreational smoking, remains punishable under the proposed measure.
With the committee’s approval, the medical marijuana bill advances to the plenary for further debate, which signifies a leap toward potential legalization and regulation of cannabis for therapeutic use in the Philippines.
Discussion about this post