JV: Duterte opposing medical marijuana due to ‘frustration’ on drug war

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito. INQUIRER.net file photo / Faye Orellana

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s sudden expression to oppose the legalization of medical marijuana could be due to frustration on ending the proliferation of illegal drugs in the Philippines, Senator JV Ejercito asserted on Saturday.

“Sa tingin ko nga yung frustration niya against war against drugs. [‘Yung] all out war na for the past three years [pero] nandun pa rin [yung droga,]” Ejercito said over local radio station DWIZ.

(I think it was due to his frustration against war against drugs. The all out war for the past years, but still illegal drugs remain present.]

“Kaya medyo ‘di na maganda mood niya dahil sabi niya nga papatayin niya mga [drug personalities,] (That is why he is such in a bad mood because he also said that he will kill drug personalities.)” the senator added.

This was after Duterte changed his stand against medical marijuana, saying he is against the legalization of marijuana or cannabis for medical use.

“Ako itong medicinal (marijuana)…ginanon ko [shows thumbs down]. They’ll give you the excuse to harvest for…sabihin medicinal. Lahat na lang mag-medicinal na. That would be an excuse. Hindi ako pumayag (I did not agree). Not in my time, not in my time,” the President said in a speech on Friday.

READ: Change of heart? Duterte now opposes legalization of medical marijuana

Duterte’s current remark was different from his December 2018 statement that he would sign any bill that would legalize medical marijuana. /jpv

READ: Palace: Duterte to sign any bill legalizing medical marijuana