DOH, FDA back legalization of medical marijuana amid potential danger
by Liandrei Crisostomo
Amid the struggle for the eradication of the use of dangerous drugs in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognized the efforts of the House of Representatives to legalize medical cannabis.
In a recent statement, DOH highlighted that the agreement focuses solely on medicinal use and emphasized its distinction from recreational use. They mentioned that such efforts should also consider other factors, including the regulatory capacity of all government agencies that would be involved.
Despite this, DOH stated its opposition to domestic cannabis cultivation and manufacturing, reiterating that cannabis use remains illegal under current laws.
Meanwhile, FDA director-general Samuel Zacate echoed that Filipinos should have various therapeutic options. He shared that he is open to legalization as long as it does not pose harm to the public.
The consolidated bill on the legalization of medicinal use of cannabis agreed upon by the House seeks to form a Medical Cannabis Office (MCO) under DOH, with an initial funding of P1 billion. This office would assume the responsibility of granting accreditation to doctors issuing licenses for the authorized medicinal use of marijuana.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), in solidarity with 21 other medical organizations in the country, expressed their opposition to the legalization of medical marijuana as the potential harm outweighs the purported benefits.
They warned that the legislation would not only facilitate public access to marijuana but could also inadvertently fuel its recreational use, exposing individuals to unnecessary risks.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), cannabis contains the substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is primarily responsible for the adverse effects of cannabis on a person’s physical and mental health.
In the usage of cannabis, PMA mentioned that the youth, particularly, is susceptible to developing dependency, affecting their educational achievements, social lives, and plans.
They stressed that no legislative bills on the use of cannabis other than those approved for specific clinical conditions by the current Philippine FDA should be passed.
Under current laws, individuals may still obtain a compassionate special permit (CSP) from the FDA for the legal use and importation of cannabis in the country. This permit system ensures regulated access to cannabis for medicinal purposes.
PMA’s stance is supported by the still-to-update stance of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) since 2017.
Despite current studies demonstrating its effectiveness in certain conditions, UPM noted that the evidence of the cannabis plant’s efficacy in treating any disease remains insufficient.
“We strongly oppose Medicinal Cannabis Legalization since this will expose our citizenry to unnecessary harm and the risk of poor health outcomes,” UPM said in a statement.
Despite these strong contentions, the House Committee Chair on Dangerous Drugs and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers clarified that the House approved its medical use without removing it from the country’s list of dangerous drugs.
