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House panels OK bill seeking to allow access to medical cannabis 

A 'budtender' displays a cannabis bud on the so-called 420 World Cannabis Day at Royal Queen Seeds in Bangkok, Thailand, April 20, 2023. Thailand in 2018 became the first nation to legalize cannabis for medical use in Southeast Asia, a region with some of the world's harshest drugs laws. Narong Sangnak, EPA-EFE/File.

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VIVIENNE GULLA

ABS-CBN News

<figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments" id="isPasted"><img alt="A &#x27;budtender&#x27; displays a cannabis bud on the so-called 420 World Cannabis Day at Royal Queen Seeds in Bangkok, Thailand, April 20, 2023. Thailand in 2018 became the first nation to legalize cannabis for medical use in Southeast Asia, a region with some of the world&#x27;s harshest drugs laws. Narong Sangnak, EPA-EFE/File." src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1707322160637.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><figcaption>A &#x27;budtender&#x27; displays a cannabis bud on the so-called 420 World Cannabis Day at Royal Queen Seeds in Bangkok, Thailand, April 20, 2023. Thailand in 2018 became the first nation to legalize cannabis for medical use in Southeast Asia, a region with some of the world&#x27;s harshest drugs laws. Narong Sangnak, EPA-EFE/File.</figcaption></figure>MANILA — The House committees on dangerous drugs and on health approved on Wednesday a bill to give qualified patients access to cannabis for medical use. The measure does not seek to decriminalize marijuana possession or use, but will allow patients with certain medical conditions receive cannabis treatment recommended by an authorized physician.   &quot;Ang aming inaprubahan ay exclusive lang ito for medical use, medical cannabis. Walang probisyon sa batas na ina-allow ‘yung recreational use,&quot; Surigao Del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, dangerous drugs committee chair, said.He said there is a proposal to allow cannabis treatment for &quot;non-debilitating&quot; conditions like anxiety and severe insomnia. &quot;Possession, cultivation, importation, pushing and selling are still in violation of the existing law,&quot; he stressed.Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, specifically lists cannabis and cannabis extracts as illegal.Under the bill that the panels approved, medical cannabis may only be dispensed by hospitals, clinics, drugstores and other medical facilities authorized by a Medical Cannabis Office that will be created under the Department of Health to regulate the use of medical marijuana. Only accredited physicians shall prescribe medical cannabis to qualified patients enough supply of the medicine to last not more than one year.   The measure proposes that providing illegal access to medical cannabis will be penalized with a fine of P500,000 to P1,000,000 or imprisonment of 6 months to 6 years at the discretion of the court. The penalties carry with it the suspension of revocation of professional license or accreditation of the facilities.<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2954090"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script></div>Meanwhile, for Ret. Gen. Dionisio Santiago, former chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board, it is important to rely on what medical experts say on the issue.&quot;I rely on the medical experts. Basta may proper study, saka makakatulong...Napakaimportante noon, lalo na doon sa mga sinasabi kung saan siya tamang sakit na ma-aaply,&quot; he told Teleradyo Serbisyo.Santiago compared the status of medical cannabis to that of mortein, which is also regulated.He also said that should medical cannabis be legalized, it would be up to law enforcers to ensure that control measures are in place.&quot;Siguruhin na &#x27;yung mga kumakalat na mga prohibited drugs, controlled drugs, ay talagang controlled. Dahil dito sa Philippines, minsan ang nangyayari, inaabuso eh,&quot; Santiago said.<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2954091"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script></div><ul><li><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/07/22/medical-cannabis-advocates-press-for-law-to-allow-use-in-ph" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/07/22/medical-cannabis-advocates-press-for-law-to-allow-use-in-ph">Medical cannabis advocates press for law allowing its use in PH</a></li><li><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/08/01/23/green-gold-or-gateway-doh-fda-weigh-in-on-medical-cannabis" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/08/01/23/green-gold-or-gateway-doh-fda-weigh-in-on-medical-cannabis">Green gold or gateway? DOH, FDA weigh in on moves to legalize medical cannabis</a></li><li><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/13/22/should-medical-cannabis-use-be-allowed-in-philippines" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/13/22/should-medical-cannabis-use-be-allowed-in-philippines">Should medical cannabis use be allowed in Philippines?</a></li></ul><div> </div><div> </div>

The House committees on dangerous drugs and on health approved on Wednesday a bill to give qualified patients access to cannabis for medical use.

The House committees on dangerous drugs and on health approved on Wednesday a bill to give qualified patients access to cannabis for medical use.