By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Robin Padilla continues to push the legalization of medical marijuana in the country to allow qualified patients to receive therapeutic and palliative benefits from medical cannabis.
“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,” Padilla said in his sponsorship speech on Wednesday (20 March 2024).
Senate Bill No. 2572 or the proposed Cannabis Medicalization Act of the Philippines will legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
“Ang kwalipikadong pasyente po ay isang tao na na-diagnose ng sertipikadong doktor na may debilitating medical condition, at maaaring makatanggap ng therapeutic at palliative benefits mula sa cannabis base sa kanyang sariling pasya,” Padilla said.
“Binibigyang-linaw po natin na ang medical cannabis ay complementary treatment na isasabay sa mga gamot na sadyang ginagamit na ng isang pasyente,” the senator added.
Under the proposed measure, the Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority would be established under the Department of Health.
This authority would be responsible for crafting a Comprehensive Cannabis Medicalization Plan, establishing regulations for the medical use of cannabis, implementing a monitoring and regulating system for medical cannabis, and issuing licenses for registered entities within the medical cannabis industry.
(el Amigo/MNM)