Pro-life advocates oppose medical use of marijuana

CEBU, Philippines — Buhay Partylist Representative Lito Atienza, Jr. and Dr. Rene Josef C. Bullecer, director of Human Life International Country, are against the legalization of medicinal marijuana in the Philippines.

They both claim that it does not show any conclusive study that proves that it can be used for medicinal purposes.

“I’m telling you, marijuana destroys the person’s mindset. Marijuana affects the thinking of the user. Marijuana is destructive. Marijuana is bad,” Atienza said.

He explained that legalizing medicinal marijuana means it is just one step closer to legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

On the other hand, Bullecer does not believe that marijuana has a curative effect.

Earlier, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III had said that the Philippines will surely have a problem once lawmakers rush the deliberations of the bill which seeks to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana.

Davide, a lawyer and former Cebu City legislator, disapproves of the proposed measure for now not unless there is sufficient proof to substantiate its medicinal benefits or its efficacy to cure diseases.

“If the bill is approved, many areas will be the same as Mexico, particularly Sinaloa, which is notorious for marijuana plantations. The problem if gets approved is many might signify interest or apply for the growing of marijuana plant,” he has said.

At present, the use and possession of marijuana is prohibited and punishable under the existing law in the country. — Gwendel Kaye Veloso and Marissa Villamor, NSU Interns, MBG, (FREEMAN)