PDEA starts medical marijuana research

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday has started a research on the proposed medical use of marijuana in the country.

"This will be a basis ng ating mga mambabatas na in the future in case na ma-approve ito na magamit ang marijuana medically, magiging basis itong research and study na kino-conduct ng PDEA," PDEA Director-General Aaron Aquino said in a report by Mark Salazar in GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

The legalization of medical marijuana has been approved by the House of Representatives in the 17th Congress.

This proposed measure seeks to allow the use of marijuana to treat chronic or debilitating medical conditions and establish Medical Cannabis Compassionate Centers that will facilitate authorized selling of cannabis to qualified patients.

A bill pushing for the legalization of medical marijuana was refiled at the Lower House at the 18th Congress on Monday.

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, expressed last March that such legislation will not be enacted during his term.

"Not in my time. Some other President maybe. I do not intend to legalize it. Ayaw ko. Gawain mo lang excuse ‘yan eh. Magtatanim ka ng iyo. Sabihin mo, 'Medicinal man kaya ‘to,'" Duterte said. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News

One of the Duterte administration's flagship campaigns is the so-called war against illegal drugs.