Rep. LRay Villafuerte pushes for legalizing medical cannabis

Rep. Lray Villafuerte

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has renewed his call for the establishment of a government agency dedicated to promoting, developing, and regulating the cannabis industry.

House Bill No. 3961, also known as the Philippine Cannabis Development Authority (PhiCADA) Act, was filed by Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on August 14, 2019.

READ: Advocates hopeful law on medical cannabis to be passed this year

The proposed PhiCADA would be responsible for formulating and adopting a comprehensive development plan for the cannabis industry.

It would also oversee the implementation of industry programs, projects, and services, according to Villafuerte.

Additionally, PhiCADA would “formulate and adopt the Guidelines of the Philippine National Standards for Cannabis plants, its products and by-products including the rules and regulations concerning the issuances of licenses, accreditations, registrations, and commodity clearances for the importation of cannabis seeds or plantlets for the cultivation and production, harvest and storage of cannabis crops including the processing/manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and distribution or sale of medical cannabis products or by-products.”

The agency would also be tasked with recommending to the Commission on Higher Education the inclusion of a subject or course related to the cannabis industry.

According to Villafuerte, PhiCADA would be an attached agency to the Office of the President.

The agency’s corporate powers and duties would be vested in a board composed of the following members:

• Secretary-General, National Economic and Development Authority
• Secretary of the Department of Health
• Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology
• Secretary of the Department of Agriculture
• Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry
• Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Secretary of the Department of Finance

“The President of the Philippines shall appoint the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of PhilCADA. In case of absence or inability of the Chairman to attend any meeting, the Vice-Chairman shall preside at the meeting of the Board,” the proposed bill read.

READ: House OKs bill allowing access to medicinal cannabis on 3rd reading

The House of Representatives, last July 30, approved on its third and final reading House Bill No. 10439 or the proposed Access to Medical Cannabis Act.

A Medical Cannabis Office, which will be under the Department of Health, will also be created once the act is enacted into law.

It will be the primary regulatory body for medical cannabis, having administrative, regulatory, and monitoring functions.

Health and economic benefits

Medicinal cannabis, or particularly Cannabidiol (CBD) oil — derived from the marijuana plant — is believed to alleviate pain and seizures in some patients battling epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other neurological conditions. However, a law allowing normal use of CBD oil is needed, as the plant is currently labeled as a banned substance.

The World Health Organization also said some evidence shows that medicinal cannabis can help improve sleep, increase appetite, decrease weight loss, reduce anxiety, and improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The planting, distribution, and selling of the plant can also help farmers and other laborers improve their income.

Last 2022, Senator Robin Padilla urged for the legalization of medical cannabis to source income to fund government funds.

He pushed for the assessment of the economic viability, feasibility, and benefits of medical cannabis.