Groups support marijuana ‘medical treatment’ bill

MANILA – Several groups support a bill that would legalize marijuana or cannabis as a “compassionate alternative to medical treatment”.

According to Philippine Cannabis Compassionate Society (PCCS) spokesperson, Dr. Donnabel Cunanan, as soon as the proposed bill of Senator Robin Padilla becomes law, marijuana can be used for research and medications.

“On behalf ng aming grupo maraming salamat for your boldness, na finally after nine years of advocating, meron na tayong bill sa Senate (On behalf of our group, I want to thank you for your boldness. Finally after nine years of advocating, we have a bill in the Senate),” Cunanan said in a statement on Thursday.

She stated that it is vital that medical marijuana and its potential be used not only as a pain reliever for the terminally ill, but also as a cure for those with a chance of survival.

The PCCS is a group of patients, parents and caregivers seeking to institutionalize the legal use of medical marijuana.

It is also important, according to Chuck Manansala of Masikhay Research, that medical cannabis be made “available and safe” to those who need it.

During the courtesy call on Wednesday at the senator’s office in Pasay City, Cunanan and Manansala as well as Dr. Gem Marq Mutia, founder of the Philippine Society of Cannabinoid Medicine, expressed their full support for Padilla’s bill.

Senate Bill 230 was earlier filed by Padilla to permit the use of medical marijuana or cannabis, as well as further research into its medicinal use. Padilla noted marijuana has been used as an herbal medicine for conditions such as gout, rheumatism, and malaria.

The bill authorizes the use of medical cannabis in capsule and oil form to treat “debilitating medical conditions” in “qualified patients”.

However, Padilla emphasized in his bill that there should be sanctions for the abuse of marijuana. The proposed legislation incorporates measures to avoid such abuse.

Moreover, the bill seeks to improving medical cannabis research and development as well as the training of medical cannabis physicians and pharmacists.