Medical practitioners and supporters of the legalization of medical cannabis or marijuana for medical use recently gained a morale boost after the country’s Health Secretary said he is in favor of the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
During a Kapihan forum last August 6, Department of Health chief Ted Herbosa said that medical cannabis could already be used by patients in the Philippines through a compassionate special permit signed by the Food and Drug Administration that would allow its importation.
Herbosa said medical cannabis would be beneficial for those suffering from cancer, glaucoma, and seizure disorders, among others.
Although in favor of its usage, Herbosa said he is not inclined to support cultivating marijuana plants for farming and manufacturing sans checks and balances.
Earlier, the House of Representatives Joint Congressional Committee on Dangerous Drugs and Health unanimously approved that the proposed bills be forwarded to a technical working group, preparatory to submission to the Congress for deliberation during the plenary session.
As for health experts, Dr. Marq Gem Mutia, adult medicine specialist and founder of the Philippine Society of Cannabinoid Medicine, said it’s the first time ever that a DOH chief has recognized medical cannabis and its benefits “unlike his predecessors.”
On the other hand, Dr. Richard Nixon Gomez, an inventor, scientist, and general manager of Bauertek Corporation, said the number of those opposed to legalizing the use of marijuana has lessened.
“With some 10 pending bills in Congress and Senate seeking to legalize the use of the medical herb or marijuana, more and more pieces of evidence are gathered indicating its benefits. The use of controversial marijuana should be looked at from a bigger and global perspective as more doctors, experts, scientists, and politicians around the world advocate for its use, based on studies. The benefits are physical, mental, and emotional. Medical marijuana is now accepted by sports, athletic bodies, the NBA, even in the Olympics,” he said.
Gomez also revealed that the status of the pending bills in Congress led to the formation of a technical working group in the Senate.
He said, they discussed the contents of the bills and amended some and once done, this would be signed by the bills’ authors and will be brought to the plenary for another discussion. It is in this stage that Gomez’s group needs the help of various advocates and supporters.
Currently, Gomez said around 60 countries and counting, are prescribing the use of medical cannabis to their patients for various ailments.
For his part, Dr. Mutia disclosed that the use of medical cannabis has been going on for many years and is the only “traditional” medicine that was available even during the time of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
“It was a mainstream medicine before its prohibition,” he said.
Around 100 ailments and diseases could be treated with marijuana, and it was clinically proven for chronic pain, chemotherapy associated with nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis and intractable epilepsy.
Dr. Camille Garcia, a clinical psychologist, and CEO of the Clinic of the Holy Spirit said that medical cannabis is also used for Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
She said that cannabis contains cannabidiol or CBD, which is one of the best medications for various ailments like psychosis, and schizophrenia.
Bauertek is a research, manufacturing and development company in Guiguinto, Bulacan, that has the capability to manufacture medicines from marijuana based on the specific formulation or needs of the patients.
Drs. Garcia and Mutia were guests at the forum hosted by veteran broadcasters Rolando “Lakay” Gonzalo and Edwin Jose Eusebio.