LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES

Legalization of Medical Marijuana in the Philipiines

A Library Research by:

Almira G. Escalante
Kristine V. Encinas
Michelle F. Nagera
Monica Margaret Peralta
Shaneli Mikaela Nicole C. Brigole

Moreno Integrated School

LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Marijiuana in a general sense has become a drug that is clearly not accepted by our
society. People, when they hear this, they often name people who use it as "addicts". Medical
marijuana however, it is still a drug but has adding the word "medical" gives it a new purpose or
identity to which is known to cure various diseases. With the use of laws, statutes, and
jurisprudence on their part, we feel the desire to analyze these concepts in order to make medical
marijuana legal as it is still not accepted in this country as an alternative tool for illnesses that are
said to be incurable or untreatable. As from the point of view of medical practitioners, the need
for their concerns regarding the topic will help with the analysis of Medical Marijuana in terms
of the medical field for purposes of its benefits and how it is used regarding their own morals and
beliefs.
LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES

I. Introduction

Just because something is ilegal does it necessarily mean that that cerstain
something is immoral or wrong? Marijuana, a herb that grows naturally is a plant that has been
proben to treat a certain number of diseases such as AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy
and other conditions is deemed to be illegal? Does self-control of individuals in not being able to
control its use bea critical ground regarding to its legalization? Tons of lives maybe saved but
disciplinary actions must be conducted by the human populace in order to stabilize the
continuous use of it as a medicine if it is to be part of the law of the land.

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines supports the "Right of Life" stated in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 3 of the declaration states that "Everyone has the
right yo life, liberty and security of person." Medical care is also one of the sub-topics stated in
the 25th Article in the International Human Rights which provides that:

"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself
and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social
services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood,
old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."

Countries such as Germany and Netherlands have legalized the use of medical
marijuana in a certain amount to be carried and must be proven to be of private use while in
Uruguay as of 2013; President Jose Mujica has fully legalized the use of Medical Marijuana in
the country. Other countries have decriminalize the possesion of Medical Marijuana as time goes
by and some countries just tolerate its possession. Countries are slowly evolving to its
adaptation. An example would be the 23 states that belong in the United States of America have
now recognized Medical Marijuana as a legal substance but federal law has yet to consider it
illegal. One major factor would be the sworn statement of the practitioner who would likely be in
the circumstance to use medical marijuana for the patient's own good. The Hippocratic Oath
which every medical practitioner should abide by states that: "I will use my power to help the
sick to the best of my ability and judgement." This puts liability on the idea of assurance to the
patient in conducting every possible way to cure their illnesses.

Other factors such as the Catholic Church of the Philippines has granted the
concept of legalizing Medical Marijuana in the Philippines on the ground that it is part of
"Catholic health care ethics". They tend to treat terminal cancer patients with medicinal
marijuana as it has been proved to be helpful and effective in the patients situation. House Bill
No. 4477 also known as the "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Bill" is now in motion.
Now supported by advocates and societies around the Philippines, this act is causing no turmoil
in the media and this is the way of legalizing the act to which the study will onwards.
LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES

II. Thesis Statement

The concept of the legalization of Medical Marijuana will have a positive effect on the
economic, social, and medical ideas in the Philippines.

Medical Marijuana when used properly and not abused can show to have positive
effects for people with chronic pain, people with seizures, help people that have trouble eating
or reduce of vomiting, it also helps with patients that have anxiety or have shown feelings of
depression. Marijuana has also shown that it stops the growth of cancer cells. Now that we’ve
seen how marijuana has shown to have positive effects it’s time to make Marijuana legal in the
Philippines.

III. Statement of the Problem

The main problem of this study is the dispute between making use of medical
marijuana and lawd regarding the use of marijuana as an illegal drug. We aim to answer
questions such as:

1. Whether or not the law should legalize the use of Medical Marijuana.

2. Whether or not the legalization of marijuana can lead to multiple methods in curing various
diseases and other similar illnesses.

3. Whether or not the legalization of medical marijuana become a positive effect or negative
effect on the economic, social, and medical ideas in our country.

4. Whether or not the legalization of medical marijuana be effective or capable of relieving the
distress of great numbers of very ill people, and doing so with safety under medical supervision.

5. Whether or not the legalization of medical marijuana contribute to the advancement of medical
practices and ideas.
LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES

IV. Conclusion

As far as the National Conference of State Legislature is concerned about the other
states in the U.S.A. that has legalized the use of medical marijuana, the 23 states and the Distruct
of Colombia is now allowed to the comprehensive public use of medicinal marijuana and
cannabis programs. The NCSL has classified the drug to a limitationwhich in known as a "low
THC, high canabidiol (CBD)" product. The criteria for the word "comprehensive" is as stated:

1. Protection from criminal penalties for using marijuana for a medical purpose.

2. Access to marijuana through home cultivation, dispensaries, or some other system thatvare
likely to be implemented.

3. It must follow a variety of strains;. and

4. It must allow either smoking or vaporization of some kind of marijuana products, plant
materials or extract.

The following uses have also been discussed through the institute of medicine in
California and a research in the institute titled "The Advancement of Medicine" (Oakman, 1989)
p.34. A thorough examination of potential therapeutic benefits:

1. Pain Relief

2. Control of Nausea and Vomitting

3. Appetite Simulation

4. Symptoms of AIDS

5. Symptoms of HIV

6. Cancer

7. Glaucoma

8. Multiple Sclerosis
LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES

People who use medical marijuana possess registry papers abd authorized
prescriptions by their own practitioners for evidence of legal possession. (NCSL, 2014) The use
of Marijuana has also been a less addictive and less cost substitute than pain killers. Medical
Marijuana has proved for a fact that it is reliable medicine and mainly a major positive effect on
the economic, social and medical ideas of the country. "Marijuana in its natural form is one of
the safest therapeutically active substances known.. The evidence in the record clearly shows that
marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill
people, and doing so with safety under medical supervision. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary
and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this
substance." -Francis L. Young, DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge, 1988 "Cannabis will one
day be seen as a wonder drug, as was penicillin in the 1940s Like penicillin, herbal marijuana is
remarkably nontoxic, has a wide range of therapeutic applications and be quite inexpensive if it
were legal thus, effectively contribute to the medical ideas and practices in the country." - Dr.
Grinspoon, proffesor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School,Los Angeles Times, May 5, 2006.
LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES

References

Association, P. M. (2008, September 22). Code of Ethics of the Philippine Medical Association.

Collins, S. P. (2014, August 26). Legalizing Medical Marijuana Can Help Prevent People From
Overdosing On Painkillers.

https://philippinemedicalassociation.org/downloads/pma-codes/FINAL-PMA-
CODEOFETHICS2008.pdf

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juril1988/feb1988/gr_1_698441988.html

Young, S. (2013, August 7). Marijuana stops child's severe seizures. Retrieved February 24, 2019
from CNN 0

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/07/health/charlotte-child-medical-marijuana/

Philippines. (1987). The 1987 Constitution

Senate: http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/81856680!.pdf

Estrada, S. J. (2002). Senate Bill No. 674

NCSL. (2014, November 7) State Medical Marijuana Laws.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-ph