Legalization of marijuana for medical purposes opposed

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said she does not favor legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.

But Ubial said patients who really need it can apply for a special permit from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA provides some access to drugs and medicines that are not registered in the Philippines for “compassionate use,” Ubial explained.

Marijuana is sometimes recommended for pain relief and to help cancer or HIV-AIDS patients counter the side effects of chemotherapy and other medications.

At any rate, Ubial said it would be up to lawmakers whether or not to legalize marijuana for medical purposes.

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano has already filed House Bill No. 180 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act seeking to legalize medical marijuana.

Ubial said marijuana used for medicinal purposes are those that have undergone scientific processing.

“It has its medicinal uses but not in its raw form. The ones allowed are those that have already been extracted of its medicinal components,” the Health secretary said. —with a report from the wires