Senator Robin Padilla expressed his support for the use of medical cannabis in PH

Senator Robin Padilla expressed confidence that Senate Bill (SB) 2573, also known as the proposed “Cannabis Medicalization Act of the Philippines,” will soon become law. He cited a significant decision by a United Nations Commission in December 2020 to remove cannabis from a category of the world’s most dangerous drugs, highlighting its medicinal benefits.

Padilla, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act of the Philippines, emphasized his extensive research on the topic, including visits to countries like the Netherlands and Israel, where medical marijuana is legalized.

On Wednesday, Padilla reported Committee Report 210 for SB 2573 for plenary deliberations and debates, with support from 12 senators. The bill seeks to legalize the use of medical marijuana and establish the Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority (PMCA) under the Department of Health (DoH) to oversee its implementation and access.

The PMCA, assisted by the inter-agency Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee, will regulate the cultivation of marijuana in closed and controlled facilities. The measure aims to restrict cultivation near educational and residential areas while recognizing the therapeutic benefits of marijuana in treating certain medical conditions.

Politics News: Senator Robin Padilla expressed his support for the use of medical cannabis in PH