Palace hails House OK of bill on medical marijuana

Malacañang on Thursday hailed the House of Representatives’ approval on third and final reading of a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The Palace said President Duterte had always been supportive of efforts to legalize the use of marijuana to treat certain medical conditions.

“That’s good for those who are sick. The President has always said that he is in support of marijuana being used as a healing mechanism or medicine,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

The House on Tuesday passed House Bill No. 6517, or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, voting 163 for the measure. Five lawmakers were against it and three others were undecided.

It seeks to allow the use of medical marijuana for those suffering from debilitating illnesses such as epilepsy.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration would regulate its use.

Marijuana is a prohibited substance under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The House bill also seeks the creation of the Medical Cannabis Compassionate Center to be licensed by the DOH.

The center will acquire, possess, manufacture and sell cannabis to registered qualifying patients.

While there is no counterpart bill in the Senate yet, some senators have expressed their openness to the legalization of medical marijuana.

The Palace said it did not see the need for the President to write to the Senate and certify the bill as urgent.

“He doesn’t have to, because they also meant [to pass] that,” Panelo said. —JULIE M. AURELIO