‘Duterte’s about-face on medical marijuana mere prudence’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte may have been pushing for additional safeguards against drug addiction when he said he was against the legalization of medical marijuana, Malacañang said yesterday. 

On Friday, Duterte reversed his position on medical marijuana, saying drug syndicates could use its legalization to sell prohibited substances. 

At a campaign sortie in Negros Occidental, Duterte said marijuana addiction could cause madness and that he would not allow the legalization of the substance.

Earlier, the President said he was open to legalizing the use of marijuana as long as it is limited to treating diseases. 

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo admitted he did not know exactly what Duterte meant when he made the remark.

Panelo said it was possible that the President was emphasizing the need to prevent substance abuse. 

“It is possible that he said that because of the need for many safeguards,” Panelo told journalists. 

Marijuana is classified as a prohibited substance under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Possession of at least 500 grams of marijuana or at least 10 grams of marijuana concentrate is punishable by life imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million.

Health officials have said an enabling law is needed before the government could conduct extensive research on marijuana’s medicinal properties.

 Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza welcomed Duterte’s move rejecting the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. 

Atienza, who belongs to the House opposition bloc, has been very vocal in his stand against the medical marijuana bill.

“The President has demonstrated correct political leadership in throwing out the bill seeking to legalize medical marijuana,” Atienza said.

“Now that the President has spoken, we reckon that nobody will be foolish enough to introduce a similar measure in the next Congress,” he added.

Atienza warned that some politicians, whom he refused to name, are “raring to profit from medical marijuana by running dispensaries.” 

“All the purported therapeutic values of marijuana are merely anecdotal. Puro kuwento-kuwento lang (It’s all hearsay). They have not been scientifically proven,” Atienza said, adding what has been proven by science is that marijuana is a dangerous substance and highly addictive. – With Delon Porcalla