Senate panel eyes amendments to existing rules on medical marijuana

MANILA, Philippines — Instead of crafting a new law legalizing the use of medical cannabis (marijuana), the Senate committee on health and demography would look into possible amendments in existing rules regulating the use of medical marijuana, Senator JV Ejercito said Wednesday.

Ejercito said the committee would look into amending existing rules under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165) and regulations of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to make medical marijuana “accessible” to those who need it.

“Titimbangin natin kung kinakailangan pa ng panibagong batas or another law or baka probably ‘yung amendment na lang sa DBB at FDA rules and regulations to make it accessible to those who are really suffering,” Ejercito told reporters in an interview.

Asked if the panel eyes amendments to existing rules more than passing a new law, Ejercito answered: “Yes.”

“Sa ngayon tingnan natin, if it will be more accessible, why not? Because ayaw naman natin magmadali at baka mamamaya baka maabuso,” he said.

“Probably we’ll look at the rules of the Republic Act 9165, and also tingnan natin yung FDA regulations and DDB, para lang to make it easier and make it cheaper,” Ejercito added.

On Wednesday, the Senate panel chaired by Ejercito started hearing a proposal to legalize medical marijuana in the country, particularly House Bill No. 6517.

READ: Senate panel opens hearing on legalizing medical marijuana

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 6517, which seeks to legalize and regulate the use of medical cannabis (marijuana) and expand research into marijuana’s medicinal properties.

During the hearing, the Department of Health, the FDA and medical professionals insisted that the country does need a new law as several rules and laws in the country already provide for the use and regulation of medical marijuana and for research for its medical properties.

“We believe that there are already existing regulations that address the regulatory needs. If it is for research, definitely not in the raw or plant form but only the extracted medicinal substances,” Health Undersecretary Rolando Domingo said during the hearing.

Domingo cited Section 16 of RA 9165, which allows medical laboratories and medical research centers to cultivate marijuana for medical experiments and research purposes.

Meanwhile, Section 14 of the DDB Regulation No. 1-2014 provides for the issuance of permits concerning laboratory use and programs for medical and scientific research for dangerous drugs including cannabis.

The FDA also gives out compassionate special permits (CSPs) which grant patients to obtain “unregistered drugs,” which include medical cannabis, through a licensed importer with a specific volume and period.

On the other hand, those who support the passage of a new law for legalizing medical marijuana noted that obtaining medical marijuana is very difficult as existing laws are “prohibitive,” Ejercito noted.

“Doon sa kabilang side, very prohibitive (ang existing rules), mahirap, tapos mahal masyado kasi nga we have to get it all from the United States so yun yung mga dpaat natin timbangin,” he said.

However, Ejercito said that he is open to legalize medical marijuana as long as it will “alleviate pain” and “prolong lives.”

“Sa akin lang, as chair of committee on health, controversial as it may seem, itong medical marijuana, if it will really alleviate the pain and again prolong lives why not? Ako ay open,” the senator said.

Under HB 6517, the proposed measure seeks to allow qualified patients access to medical cannabis. It also intends to certify physicians and caregivers who can prescribe or administer medical marijuana.

The measure seeks to help patients suffering from debilitating diseases and mandates the Department of Health and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to regulate medical cannabis. /muf

READ: House green lights bill to legalize medical marijuana