Marijuana has ‘potential’ medical benefits —DDB

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Benjamin Reyes on Wednesday said that although the World Health Organization says marijuana use is dangerous, the agency acknowledges the fact that it has “potential” medical benefits.

This issue was put to light after the arrest of actor Mark Anthony Fernandez on Monday night, who stressed that he was only using marijuana to prevent cancer.

“Meron tayong tinatawag na compassionate use of dangerous drugs noong 1992 pa,” Reyes said in a News To Go interview.

“Magse-secure sila ng permit sa FDA (Food and Drug Administration), at dapat talaga may espesiyalista na nagtitingin sa kanya, namo-monitor natin 'yung dosage na hiningi nila, at kung paano nagagamit,” Reyes added.

However, Reyes said further studies need to be made to prove marijuana’s medical benefits.

Fernandez, who was arrested Monday after a kilo of marijuana was found on him, tested positive for using the said drug.

“Noong 19-something po, sinabihan po ang mama ko saka ako po ng doktor ko po na pwede po kami mag-use ng marijuana,” Fernandez said in a press conference held by Pampanga police on Tuesday.

To which Philippine National Police (PNP) Central Luzon Director Supt. Aaron Aquino replied: “Alam mo, dapat pati doktor mo dapat ma-file-an ng kaso for illegal prescription. Kasi use of marijuana is illegal.”

Reyes, in the interview, shared the same view. He said that while it is possible to file charges against the doctor who prescribed marijuana to Fernandez, he noted that no doctor has so far given prescription to anyone to use it.

Moreover, Reyes said the penalty depends on the amount of drugs found on a person.

“Life [imprisonment] ang punishment and a fine of half a million [pesos] to 10 million [pesos] ang kinakaharap ni Mark for 500 grams of marijuana,” Reyes said.

Fernandez will remain at Angeles City PNP Station 6 while investigation is ongoing. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News