Senator Robin Padilla has urged the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to reclassify cannabis, lowering its status from prohibited to non-prohibited in the Philippines.
The United Nations voted to reschedule cannabis in December 2020, downgrading it by one level from the world’s most dangerous drugs.
“When we had a hearing regarding medical cannabis, the DDB and PDEA promised us, they gave their word at that time that they would change and follow the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN regarding the rescheduling of cannabis.”
“So the question is, when will we receive the permission or documents from the DDB and PDEA that they will follow through on their promise to downgrade it (cannabis) by one level?” Padilla said during Tuesday’s deliberations on proposed 2025 budget of the DDB and PDEA.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said in order for the DDB and PDEA to downgrade cannabis, it requires an amendment on Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Padilla authored Senate Bill No. 2573, the Cannabis Medicalization Act of the Philippines. The bill provides that the use of cannabis for medical purposes will be permitted “to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms.
The bill also noted that the medicalization of cannabis includes its acquisition, possession, transportation, delivery, dispensing, administration, cultivation, or manufacturing by private individuals or entities only for medical and research purposes.
It also mandates that the state protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
“Pursuant thereto, the state shall legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis which has been confirmed to have beneficial and therapeutic uses for known debilitating medical conditions.”
