Philippine Assembly votes to legalize medical cannabis

The Philippine House of Representatives has approved a a measure aimed at legalizing the medical use of cannabis in the country.

On Tuesday, 177 lawmakers voted in favor of Bill No. 10439, known as the Medical Cannabis Access Act, while nine voted against it and nine others abstained.

This bill aims to make the medical marijuana make it available to eligible patients and establish a regulatory framework through the creation of an Office of Medical Cannabis.

Provisions and Regulatory Framework

Bill No. 10439 aims to regulate the entire life cycle of the medical marijuana, from cultivation and manufacturing through distribution, prescribing, and dispensing. This process will be closely monitored by a Medical Cannabis Office, which will report to the Ministry of Health.

This office will ensure compliance with safety and security requirements in order to prevent the use of the cannabis for non-medical purposes or recreational.

Robert Ace Barbers, the representative from Surigao del Norte and one of the bill’s sponsors, emphasized that the legislation was intended strictly for medical purposes. He stated: «This bill is by no means a gateway to recreational cannabis use.».

The bill specifies that only patients suffering from identified diseases may have access to the medical marijuana, and that access to it is strictly regulated. It may only be prescribed by a licensed physician and must be closely monitored.

Historical Context and Legislative History

This legislative effort is not entirely new. A similar measure, the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, was passed by the House of Representatives in January 2019 at the 17th Congress. However, it stalled in the Senate after then-President Rodrigo Duterte withdrew his support for it.

Despite the passage of the new bill, it has faced strong opposition. The Philippine Medical Association has spoken out against House Bill 10439, fearing that it would pave the way for the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Dr. Tony Leachon, an advocate for health care reform, also criticized the bill, describing its passage as having been «rushed through without taking the medical community into account.»

The future of the bill now depends on Senate approval and of possible presidential support.