Former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —The proposal by Pantaleon Alvarez, the former House of Representatives speaker and representative of Davao del Norte’s 1st District, to take marijuana off the list of dangerous drugs has caused a stir in the political sphere.
If accepted, it could lead to recreational use becoming legal. Many lawmakers and government agencies have reservations about the suggestion.
Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. — a medical doctor by profession — asked Alvarez several times during the House committee hearing on dangerous drugs if he and his House Bill (HB) No. 6783 are pushing for the recreational use of marijuana.
The committee is deliberating HB No. 6783.
Alvarez clarified that his bill was not calling for the legalization of the recreational use of cannabis but rather for its removal from the list of dangerous drugs under Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“If it’s the non-medical marijuana, are you open Honorable speaker to delisting the […] medical marijuana, because otherwise if we will delist the non-medical, the non-medical would have no other purpose but for recreational marijuana,” Gato said.
“And since we all agree here that we are not for recreational marijuana, I see no other purpose for any who would like to cultivate or to have a possession of the marijuana except for recreational,” he added.
Eventually, Alvarez said that he is looking towards giving marijuana the same treatment as alcohol and cigarettes — both substances which the government partially allows consumption despite their perceived dangers.
“My proposal is we apply the rules on alcoholic beverages as well as soft drinks, which are all bad for the health — cigarettes, same. Maybe the same guidelines,” Alvarez said.
“So in effect Speaker Alvarez, we will be allowing — just like alcohol — we would be allowing the use of marijuana as long as it is regulated? As long as it is taxed?” Gato asked. “So you’re for recreational, eventually.”
“If we can regulate the use of alcohol, like for instance minors cannot purchase or buy alcoholic beverages, maybe it’s okay […] Eventually, there would be no other recourse (except recreational),” Alvarez added.
Alvarez also stressed that smoking cigarettes are far more dangerous than using marijuana, but they can be easily brought even by minors.
PNP, DOH air reservations
Both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Health (DOH) however aired their reservations about delisting marijuana, as it would supposedly be harder for law enforcement and may also endanger public health.
“The Department of Health has reservations on delisting cannabis with substance use, as you very well know cannabis use […] can cause short-term and long-term effects among individuals and we believe it would put, decriminalizing it would increase its availability and would put at risk some of our population more than the others,” Dr. Jose Bienvenido Leabres, program manager of the DOH’s Dangerous Drugs Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program.
“It increases the risk for psychosis, depression, and anxiety disorders; there may be a higher possibility of accidents because of poor coordination, and poor concentration especially when they’re high,” he added.
PNP Deputy Director for Operations Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza meanwhile said that measures must be in place to ensure that the delisting of marijuana would not be abused.
“Initially Mr. Chair, we want to say that I think we need to put some control measures so the substance abuse or this cannabis sativa will not be abused Mr. Chair. And on the perspective of law enforcement, I think it is difficult for the Philippine National Police if no corresponding measures, or control measures, will be adopted and it will be prone to substance abuse Mr. Chair,” Nobleza said.
Committee chairperson and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Barbers meanwhile clarified that Alvarez’s proposal is only for delisting — which would allow health experts to study cannabis’ effects without fear of apprehension.
“The proposed bill is (for) delisting, decriminalizing ‘yong use and planting and sale of marijuana or cannabis no, not for recreation — the author clearly stated that it is not for recreational use,” Barbers said.
“So ‘yong substance abuse, kasi I’m really careful your Honors and our resource persons to delve on the medicinal value of the cannabis, kasi nga we need to hear experts on this particular subject matter […]But before experts would talk about the medicinal value, et cetera, the first move should be to delist it, because how can they go on with their study and come up with a conclusion that it has medicinal value if we did not delist it yet?” he asked.
Eventually, Alvarez’ HB No. 6783 was referred to the technical working group headed by Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez, which would tackle amendments to RA No. 9165.
READ: Alvarez wants cannabis out of dangerous drugs list: It’s part of a solution