In about-face, Duterte says he won’t legalize medical marijuana

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he would not allow the legalization of medical marijuana, after previously declaring his openness to sign a bill that would allow its use.

Duterte made the stunning about-face in his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-Laban campaign rally in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

“I’ll give you the excuse to harvest for… Sabihin medicinal. Lahat na lang mag-medicinal na. That would be an excuse. Hindi ako pumayag,” Duterte said.

“Not in my time. Not in my time. Maybe some other --- some other president maybe,” he added.

“I am ignorant of that kind of research, I must admit. And I do not read it and I do not intend to legalize it. Ayaw ko. Gawain mo lang excuse ‘yan eh. Magtatanim ka ng iyo. Sabihin mo, ‘Medicinal man kaya ‘to,’” he continued.

READ: Duterte says he uses marijuana to cope with hectic schedule

Marijuana is one of the prohibited substances under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. A person found guilty of possessing at least 500 grams of marijuana, or at least 10 grams of marijuana concentrate, may be punished with life imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million.

Health officials previously said an enabling law is needed before the government could go full blast in studying the health benefits of marijuana. 

Duterte, who has declared a deadly war against illegal drugs, said when he was still president-elect that he is open to the legalization of medical marijuana but is against its recreational use. 

Last month, Malacañang hailed the passage of the medical marijuana bill, saying it will benefit the sick. 

READ: Palace welcomes passage of medical marijuana bill

The bill, which aims to legalize the use and research of medical marijuana, was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives last January 29.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — an ally of Duterte — previously said she had used cannabis medical patches to ease the pain in her cervical spine. She claimed the pain patches worked.