PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, March 8, expressed opposition to the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.

In a speech delivered in Negros Occidental, the President said he is not keen to legalize the use of medical marijuana, noting that this would only give way for other people to plant cannabis.

Contrary to his previous stance, Duterte said he has no plans of legalizing use of medical merijuana under his watch.

"Plant yan eh, marijuana. They are cultivated. Ako itong medicinal.. ginanon ko. They'll give you the excuse to harvest for [marijuana leaves]. Sabihin medicinal. Lahat na lang mag-medicinal na. That would be an excuse. Hindi ako pumayag. Not in my time, not in my time. Maybe some other time. Some other president, maybe," he said.

(Marijuana is a plant. They are cultivated. Making it medicinal, they'll give you the excuse to harvest for marijuana leaves. They will say it is for medicinal use. All will take it as a reason. That would be an excuse. I do not want it. Not in my time. Not in my time. Maybe some other time. Some other president, maybe.)

"I am ignorant of that kind of research. I must admit and I do not read it, and I do not intend to legalize it. Ayaw ko. Gawin mo lang excuse 'yan eh. Tatanim ka ng iyo, sabihin mo medicinal man kaya ito. Kaya 'yan ang... Sinabi ko na, kinulong ko 'yan sila," the President added.

(I am ignorant of that kind of research. I must admit and I do not read it, and I do not intend to legalize it. I don't like it. You'll take is as an excuse. You'll plant one and say it's for medicinal purposes. I will put you to jail.)

In the past, Duterte said he was personally in favor of legalizing medical marijuana.

On January 29, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 6517 or the proposed Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabit Act, seeking to provide "compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis," as well as to expand research into medicinal properties.

The proposed measure, however, faces rough sailing in the Senate.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earleir said a law on the use of medical marijuana is no longer necessary, noting that the Food and Drug Administration can already issue "special permits."

On January 31, Malacañang said there was no need for the Chief Executive to certify as urgent the measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. (SunStar Philippines)