TWO committees of the House of Representatives have approved a medical cannabis bill.
The measure, a consolidation of several bills, was approved by the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and the Committee on Health during a hearing Tuesday.
During the hearing, the Philippine National Police told the committees it fully supports the bills, "provided there must be a strict regulatory system to ensure that medical cannabis is used solely for compassionate medical treatment and scientific research." The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meanwhile, recommended "that a provision in the bill express fund source allotment for the laboratory, its manpower as well as the procurement of the needed equipment, facilities, and other necessary and indispensable resources and machinery." The approval of the consolidated bill was subject to style and amendments.
Health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon told The Manila Times that regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, lack the capacity, transparency, and accountability to enforce safeguards.
“Our priority should be strengthening the FDA and all regulatory agencies first. Only then can we responsibly evaluate complex issues like medical cannabis. Until that happens, legalization is premature, unsafe, and irresponsible,” he said.
“In countries with strong institutions, regulatory frameworks, and robust enforcement, medical cannabis programs are carefully monitored. In the Philippines, however, where regulatory agencies are already struggling to ensure the safety of basic medicines and food products, adding cannabis to the mix would only magnify existing failures,” he added.
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Rep. Brian Poe disagreed.
"I have great respect for Dr. Leachon, and it was brought up in the committee earlier that the FDA would have to make many adjustments to be able to adapt to the medical cannabis industry. However, where Congress is coming from is the perspective of the thousands of Filipinos who are suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, and other medical conditions that need the relief that medical cannabis can provide," said Poe, a member of the House health committee, when asked by The Times about Leachon's comments to the newspaper.
"This bill has been in Congress since the 16th Congress. Many other countries have moved forward. I believe we can work together with a great mind like Dr. Leachon to find the solutions to the problems our regulatory agencies will face for the sake of our constituents in need," Poe said.
The DOH recognizes the legislative effort but it does not support the cultivation of cannabis plants or the manufacture of its products.
“The DOH reminds the general public that any use of marijuana at this point is still punishable by law, unless granted a compassionate special permit signed by the Food and Drug Administration director general that would allow its use and importation in the country. We shall keep the public updated should there be developments in the use of medical cannabis,” the DOH said in a statement.