A big no to legalizing “medical” marijuana

There are already two million drug addicts in the country today and we are still counting with no clear and discernible evidence of any government initiative to give impetus against the expected fight against the growing drug menace. And now, out of nowhere we have some honorable members of Congress who have the audacity to push for the legalization of cannabis, under the sugar-coated and highly misleading label of "medical marijuana." Do these representatives have nothing else to do as to pick up some temerity to propose such an outrageous monstrosity? Excuse me, sirs, this is the worst bill that could ever be conceived at this period in our history.

We have a lot of pressing problems of poverty, of rising crimes, of run-away unemployment, and, yes, the highly pernicious rise of drug dependence. And now, we have in the calendar of the House of Representatives a proposed bill seeking to decriminalize the use of cannabis. The Honorable Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela has filed House Bill 4477, euphemistically entitled "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis." He claims that marijuana has beneficial medical uses to ease chronic pains and some debilitating diseases, including epilepsy and multiple schlerosis. These are not medically confirmed.

Secretary Janet Garin has warned that such a bill should be rushed. DOH Usec Nemesio Gako also pushed for a more thorough scientific and comprehensive studies on this proposal. Philippine Medical Association spokesperson Dr Minerva Calimag warned of the many adverse effects of cannabis. Ifugao representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat has sternly stated that "medical reasons" has been a long standing alibi used by those who stand to gain from the legalization of this prohibited drug. Above all, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte has unequivocally declared his opposition to this bill.

The so-called medical value of cannabis is seriously disputed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine because of grave concerns on uncontrolled addiction and drug dependence, and most of all, of serious health effects. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration has warned over and over again that cannabis is directly associated with numerous health effects. It has psychoactive and physiological effects. Marijuana can cause impaired short term memory, reddening of the eyes and impaired motor skills coordination, neurological effects like increased heart rates and impaired concentration.

Marikina representative Teodoro also commented that the adverse effects of marijuana may far outweigh whatever positive use that it can yield. Therefore, in the light of all the above, we call upon all citizens of goodwill who have the greater public interests in heart and mind, to mount a strong opposition to this Albano bill. The Church, the civil society, the NGOs, and POs should form a rainbow coalition across the country and across all sectors to put up a united and formidable dissent to this travesty of our peoples' rights. Medical uses cannot overcome the many insurmountable disadvantages of this bill.

To summarize, first, there is no NEED to adopt this proposed law. Second, this bill has no BENEFIT to the greater number of the population. Third, legalizing cannabis is not PRACTICAL. There are many existing and well-proven legal drugs that can address the need for pain relief. Marijuana is a big problem and never, never a solution. Once it is legalized, there is no way that the government can ever control its use, its misuse, and its abuse. We have enough problems. Two million addicts are too much. We should not have the nerve to exacerbate them.