Senate panel opens hearing on legalizing medical marijuana

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate on Wednesday opened its hearing on a proposal to legalize medical marijuana in the country.

The Senate committee on health and demography, chaired by Sen. JV Ejercito, aims to tackle a House bill that seeks to legalize and regulate the use of medical cannabis (marijuana) and expand research into marijuana’s medicinal properties.

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 6157, or the Act Providing Compassionate and Right of Access to Medical Cannabis and Expanding Research into its Medicinal Properties and for Other Purposes.

READ: House green lights bill to legalize medical marijuana

The proposed law seeks to allow qualified patients access to medical cannabis. It also proposes to certify physicians and caregivers who can prescribe or administer medical marijuana.

The measure seeks to help patients suffering from debilitating diseases and mandates the Department of Health and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to regulate medical cannabis. /cbb