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Published: 5:33 p.m., Oct. 16, 2017 | Updated: 12:28 a.m., Oct. 17, 2017
Medical marijuana should be weeded out because there is a big chance it could turn the country into a “nation of zombies,” Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said.
In a statement, Atienza expressed fears that House Bill No. 6517, which seeks to provide the public free access to medical marijuana, would in effect be a “backdoor decriminalization” of smoking weed.
“If other countries wish to destroy themselves by enabling medical marijuana, then let them create their own problems. We Filipinos certainly do not want to degenerate into a nation of zombies,” Atienza said.
He said that he would fight the bill when it reached the plenary, possibly in November, after the measure gained ground following its approval on Sept. 25 by the House of Representatives’ health committee.
Cannabis oil
The bill, principally authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, provided for medical marijuana to be dispensed in the form of cannabis oil administered by dropper, or in tablet or capsule form.
But Atienza claimed that young people, such as depressed teenagers and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, did not really need access to medical marijuana.
“What these vulnerable kids truly need and deserve is extra loving care and emotional support,” he said.
The House senior deputy minority leader added that illegal drug traffickers might even use medical marijuana as cover to boost the stimulant’s recreational use.
Marijuana is considered a gateway drug used to entice students before they are introduced to more potent drugs like “shabu” (crystal meth), Atienza said.
In pushing for access to medical marijuana, Albano cited studies showing it could be used to control epileptic seizures, pain management in multiple sclerosis and arthritis, treatment of symptoms associated with HIV-AIDS and palliative care in end-stage cancer.
Cancer prevention
Clinical trials also showed marijuana’s potential medical effects in cancer prevention, anxiety management, slowdown of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and control of muscle spasms and tremors.
Marijuana is a prohibited substance under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.