Strong objections to the medical marijuana bill

We really do not understand why Sen. Risa Hontiveros is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 1313, the so-called Public Health Intervention for Drug Abuse Bill, which she filed last February. She alleged her bill is a proposal for barangay-based drug rehabilitation and treatment. And that such a proposed legislative measure is supposed to be her and the yellowtards’ answer to what they call President Duterte’s brutal drug war. We and the other conscientious anti-drug advocates are vehemently against this Hontiveros bill. The reasons are abundant.

This bill includes a provision in which “the delivery, possession, transfer, transportation or use of cannabis and other dangerous drugs intended for medical use, or to treat or alleviate a person’s medical condition or symptoms associated with his or her debilitating disease shall be allowed upon application and approval of the Food and Drug Administration”. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Health reportedly approved the draft report on the proposed Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act principally authored by Isabela representative Rodolfo Albano III. I am quite concerned, even alarmed and worried, about this development and hope the Senate, with Sen. Tito Sotto, blocks this outrageous legislation.

It is sought to be justified by alleged medical studies indicating supposedly that marijuana can be used to control epileptic seizures, pain in multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. It is also claimed as a treatment for the symptoms of HIV-AIDS and a palliative for pain secondary to cancer. No matter what justification is being rammed down our throats, we should oppose this devilish measure. All surreptitious initiatives to legalize a dangerous drug should be resisted by all men and women of good will. It creates more harm than good. The proponents should be punished in their next electoral attempts to be reelected.

The proposed law is neither necessary nor beneficial or practicable. There is no need to use marijuana as a medicine because there are many other cures to the ailments mentioned, treatments perfectly legal, safe, and more effective. Using marijuana is not beneficial. It will create more damage to the country and our people. Legalizing marijuana will just provide drug syndicates another loophole in the implementation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. It will provide addicts and pushers another defense and thus shall sabotage the government’s anti-drug war. Besides, it will make the FDA very powerful and shall provide another fertile ground for corruption to thrive. This measure is not practicable, and it will never succeed in our country.

Hontiveros and Albano should think of better things to do in Congress or the people should recall them for such a blatant betrayal of the peoples’ trust.