INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Health (DOH) supports the enactment of a law that will legalize the medicinal use of marijuana.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa made the pronouncement during a Commission on Appointments hearing on his confirmation as secretary of health.
He was responding to the question of Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund “L-Ray” Villafuerte Jr. about the position of DOH on the matter.
“We are in favor of the legalization of medical marijuana and its products,” said Herbosa.
Villafuerte recalled some DOH representatives during a congressional hearing had expressed opposition to the proposed law.
He said the oppositors had pointed out that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could already issue a ‘compassionate use’ permit for medicinal use of marijuana.
Herbosa acknowledged the existence of such permits, but he informed lawmakers that the process for obtaining consent is extremely difficult.
“There is a compassionate use permit given by the FDA, pero ito po ay napakahirap, kasi ire-request pa ng isang doctor sa FDA yung paperwork bago ma-import ‘yung cannabis,” said Herbosa.
(There is a compassionate use permit issued by the FDA, but it is quite difficult (to obtain) because a doctor has to request the paperwork from the FDA before cannabis can be imported.)
Villafuerte lamented the poor have no access to this treatment as it forces potential users to go through a lengthy procedure.
He said it will take years for the application to even get approved.
And then, importing the product is very expensive.
“This is anti-poor,” Villafuerte observed.
“The use of medical cannabis is used right now to treat epilepsy syndromes, complementary treatment for cancer, treatment of anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain, treatment of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease,” the lawmaker enumerated.
He, however said, in the Philippines, only a single permit has ever been granted so far.
Unfortunately, this one single case did not even push through because of the tediousness of the undertaking.
He pointed out that 60 countries globally have already legalized the use of medical marijuana.
He said there has been no incidents of overdose of the substance.
Its use has not been linked to crime, he added.
“I appeal, sana (we hope), the DOH will strongly study this and if you support it, push for it,” Villafuerte told Herbosa.
“Yun lang po request namin kasi sayang po… I hope that is not a personal opinion. I hope that is the policy of the DOH,” he said, referring to the health department’s backing of medical marijuana.
(That’s our only request because it will be a missed opportunity.)
Teodoro answered in the affirmative.
“Yes your honor. We will pursue this and make sure that medical marijuana law will be passed,” the cabinet member told the member of the House of Representatives.
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