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‘Compassionate use’ of marijuana allowed with special permit — DOH Sec. Ubial


Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial on Wednesday said the Food and Drug Administration grants exemption for "compassionate use" of marijuana.

Interviewed on GMA News' Unang Balita, Ubial noted that the bills filed in the Senate and House of Representatives to legalize cannabis are still in limbo, but groups or individuals who want to use marijuana for medicinal purposes may apply for a special permit from the FDA.

"Sinasabi po namin to the groups that want to make it or use it for medical purposes, meron po tayong parang way in our law, FDA law for humanitarian or for special cases so they can ask exemptions from the FDA if they are going to use marijuana for medical purposes," Ubial sated.

"Inaallow po ng batas 'yan pero kailangan may special permit to use it for medical purposes," she said.

Ubial said she is aware that some doctors might be recommending marijuana to their patients, but the FDA has not received applications for a special permit. 

"I've heard of that pero nga ho, mayroon tayong proseso na kailangan parang hingan ng exemption sa FDA," she said. "Sa aming experience, wala pa pong nagrerequest sa FDA."

Ubial's remarks came following claims by actor Mark Anthony Fernandez that he is using marijuana to prevent cancer.

"Lalo po nung lumabas yung sa mga sigarilyo, may picture, kinakabahan po ako [na] magka-cancer dahil nagka-cancer po yung tatay ko. Ginagamit ko po ito na para pangontra cancer," he said.

Fernandez was arrested Monday night after being caught with a kilo of marijuana in Pampanga. 

As for the amount found in Fernandez's possession, Ubial deferred to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DBB) to make an assessment. "I leave it up to the DBB, kasi meron tayong batas na certain amount of, parang, substance is considered illegal and cannot be passed on as, parang, for health benefits," Ubial said.

Marijuana use has been decriminalized in some countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico, albeit the possession and sale still come with restrictions. Colombia, for example, sets the limit at 22 grams for personal use and 20 plants for cultivation. 

Certain states in the US also recently approved the medical use of marijuana. 

Ubial clarified that there are 400 different chemicals in the raw form of marijuana and only one of them has health benefits, cannabidiol (CBD). In other countries, they are able to separate the substances and produce marijuana leaves that have higher CBD content.  — Aya Tantiangco/RSJ, GMA News

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