PDEA supports medical marijuana bill
MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said it has no objection to the proposed bill allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, provided that applicable safeguards under the law are followed.
“PDEA supports the intention and purpose behind the proposed bill. The Agency recognizes the need of patients to have access to safe, affordable, available medical cannabis prescribed by registered physicians in cases where cannabis has been found to be effective in the prevention, treatment and management of chronic or debilitating health conditions,” PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said in a statement.
Aquino said the PDEA has made the following specific recommendations to help improve the bill:
- Inclusion of definition of the terms Marijuana and Cannabis: Marijuana is a term used to describe all plant parts of Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis sativa forma indica, and Cannabis ruderalis, namely, leaves, fruiting tops, stems, flowers, and roots. Cannabis, also known as marijuana among several other names, is a preparation of the cannabis plant (scientific name: Cannabis Sativa) intended for use as psychoactive drug or medicine;
- The proposed bill must be very specific and shall only legalize the use of tablet or capsule preparations of the alleged medicinal component of Cannabis and not cannabis per se;
- Amendments to Section 6 Paragraph b of the bill which must read as ‘proof of bonafide relationship with the patient.’ PDEA said in order for a physician to be competent to certify a patient’s medical need to use cannabis, he/she must show proof that he/she has a bonafide relationship with the patient; and
- Inclusion of the statement “cultivation, possession, use, sale, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of cannabis not in accordance with
the provisions of the Act shall be deemed a violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.” in Section 26 of the bill.
“PDEA is inclined towards the passing of House Bill No. 180 and eventually its enactment into law. However, control measures and regulations on the medical use of cannabis are highly needed to ensure the patient’s safety and prevent its use for recreational purposes,” Aquino said.