UN panel's reclassification of marijuana has no immediate effect in Philippines

Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Catalino Cuy on Wednesday said the recent reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous drugs by a UN Commission has no immediate effect in the Philippines.

"In terms of domestic drug control, this will have no immediate impact as the government will still have jurisdiction relative to classifying and regulating cannabis, commonly known as marijuana," Cuy said at Kapihan sa Manila Bay's forum.

"'Yung ating domestic laws will still prevail and recommendatory itong recommendation na ito from the CND (Commission on Narcotic Drugs)," he added.

Cuy said marijuana in the Philippines would remain regulated because it is highly-addictive and "poses negative health, social, and legal consequences."

Early this month, the 53 member-states of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted in favor of the reclassification of marijuana and its derivatives as a less dangerous drug.

This development paves the way for further scientific research on the medicinal and therapeutic potential of marijuana.

Marijuana, however, will remain subject to all levels of control under Schedule I of the 1961 Convention, including the requirement for a prescription to be written on "official forms to be issued in the form of counterfoil books by the competent governmental authorities or by authorized professional associations."—AOL, GMA News