House passes medical marijuana bill on final reading

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives yesterday approved on third and final reading a bill allowing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Bill 6517, authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano lll, is titled, “An Act providing compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis, expanding research into its medicinal properties and for other purposes.”

The vote was 153-5 with three abstentions. Coincidentally, it was Albano’s wife Mylene, who represents Davao City’s second district and a deputy speaker, who presided over the session.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

Albano said his bill seeks to allow the use of medical marijuana for those suffering from debilitating diseases like epilepsy under strict regulation by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration.

“The use of marijuana for recreational purposes will continue to be prohibited. We are not proposing that the prohibition be lifted,” he said.

He said there are studies in Israel, Spain, other parts of Europe and the United States attesting to the medicinal benefits of marijuana.

He pointed out that medical marijuana is allowed in many states in America.

Last week, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo admitted to using medical marijuana.

“I am hopeful that this will be enacted into law under the administration of President Duterte, who has expressed support for medical marijuana,” Albano added.

Rep. Ron Salo of party-list group Kabayan, a co-author of the bill, said the measure “has enough safeguards to prevent abuses.”

“The only places where prescribed medical cannabis will be available are DOH hospitals, tertiary hospitals and private hospitals licensed for medical cannabis purposes,” he said.

He said only doctors licensed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency could issue prescriptions for medical marijuana “for very specific conditions and purposes based on their expert diagnosis.”

There will be licensed medical cannabis caregivers who will be issued special identification cards by the DOH secretary. Medical cannabis patients will be issued special IDs. The medical cannabis caregiver can attend to only one patient at any time.

“Simply put, once approved into law, medical cannabis would be strictly regulated,” Salo stressed.

He thanked Albano for “championing the cause of those afflicted with debilitating diseases whose sufferings can be alleviated through the use of medical marijuana.”

Aside from Duterte, Arroyo and Miss Universe Catriona Gray have expressed support for medical cannabis.