MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday welcomed the stance made by Pope Francis against the move to legalize the use of marijuana in various parts of Latin America.
The Pope delivered his message during his visit to a drug rehabilitation ward at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Pope Francis said that to fight the underlying problems of illegal drugs, society must promote greater justice and educating young people in building a life of value to give them future hope in return.
"Prominent Latin American leaders have called for legalization and decriminalizing the use of marijuana and other illegal substances, while in some states of the United States of America, there is a growing acceptance of marijuana use for medical purposes," PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said.
"As far as our country is concerned, the fact remains that under Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, marijuana remains to be a dangerous drug where the law prohibits its illicit traffic, cultivation and use," Cacdac added.