Abuse of medical marijuana into recreational use bound to happen

By Ellson Quismorio

BUHAY Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza warned on Monday that Filipinos are bound to pick up medical marijuana for recreational use once it is fully legalized.

“There’s no question medical marijuana will serve as the gateway for the widespread consumption of the mind-altering drug for fun and entertainment,” Atienza, the House Senior Deputy Minority Leader, said.

Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza
(Russell Palma / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

The bill legalizing medical marijuana, which the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading on January 29, would “create demand where there is none now,” said the former three-term mayor of Manila.

“If we create demand through legalization, then supply will surely come in. So we will in effect be creating a whole new drug market where there is absolutely none now for medical marijuana,” Atienza said.

He cited the case of Canada, which recently legalized the recreational use of marijuana.

“In the first two weeks alone after legalization, cannabis stores there sold some $43 million (in Canadian dollars), or the equivalent of P1.7-billion worth of marijuana,” said Atienza, who described the plant as “highly addictive.”

The lawmaker insisted that there was no need for medical marijuana in the Philippines. “We don’t need medical marijuana here because, apart from the fact that the drug’s purported therapeutic values are unproven, Filipino patients already have access to the most powerful narcotic analgesics when needed.”

According to him, terminally-ill cancer patients have ready access to morphine injections when prescribed by physicians especially licensed by the Dangerous Drugs Board.

 

“As to children with complex neurodevelopmental conditions, they don’t need the hallucinations of marijuana. What they really need is the tender loving care of their parents and siblings,” Atienza said.

 

The Philippine Medical Association, the professional organization of Filipino physicians, has rejected the medical marijuana bill, saying “it is contrary to the policy of the State to safeguard the well-being of its citizenry.”

At present, marijuana is considered a prohibited substance, just like methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, cocaine, and heroin, under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Under the law, mere possession of at least 500 grams of marijuana, or at least 10 grams of marijuana concentrate (resin or resin oil), is punishable by life in prison plus a fine of up to P10 million.