Rep. Albano, principal Author of the Philippine Medical Marijuana Bill, happy Catriona Gray has reignited national interest in cannabis

Isabela 1st District Rep. Rodito T. Albano III/ Photo from his Facebook

Isabela 1st District Rep. Rodito T. Albano III is quite happy with newly crowned Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. During the question and answer portion on coronation night in Thailand, host Steve Harvey asked Gray what her stance was on the legalization of the substance. Gray responded, “I’m for marijuana in the medical use, but not so for recreational use.”

Albano, the principal author and prime mover of House Bill no. 6517 or the Medical Cannabis bill, said yesterday that he appreciates that the issue has once again been moved to the forefront of the national discussion.

The veteran lawmaker expressed warmth — in that “everyone who sheds an honest light into the advocacy is welcome with open arms”. Albano has been enthusiastically fueling the bill since 2014. His measure aims to provide patients suffering from serious and debilitating diseases with scientifically backed alternative medicine.

Albano also clarified that his bill adopts a very strict regulatory framework and would allow the availability of medical cannabis to qualified patients with IDs to be issued by the Department of Health (DOH). House bill no. 6517 won’t decriminalize the use of marijuana, neither would it allow smoking, Albano added.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo said that Malacañan would support any bill that would legalize medical marijuana. Several countries — such as the United States, Canada and Poland — have already legalized cannabis. Thailand has also recently decriminalized the use of medical marijuana, a first in Southeast Asia.