SEVERAL lawmakers want to legalize medical marijuana because they themselves are eager to go into the business of cultivating it and running dispensaries. There are politicians who want to profit from legalized medical marijuana. This is clearly all about money – lots of money.
A number of pro-legalization members of Congress have actually gone on “field trips” to Canada and America to look into the operations of medical marijuana dispensaries there. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte would sign into law any bill legalizing medical marijuana.
But no such bill would arrive at the Palace for the President to sign. The bill legalizing medical marijuana is already dead as far as this Congress is concerned. The House minority has prevented further floor deliberation on the measure.
The current Congress has only 20 session days left, and most of these days are expected to be spent on passing the proposed 2019 national budget.
The legalization of medical marijuana would open the floodgates to abuse and addiction and create an unwanted public health emergency in the country. The susceptibility to abuse far outweighs any and all of the unproven benefits of allowing prescription marijuana. Marijuana is a poison. No amount of sugar-coating will make the illegal drug less toxic.
The Philippine Medical Association, the professional organization of Filipino physicians, has rejected the legalization of medical marijuana, saying “it is contrary to the policy of the State to safeguard the well-being of its citizenry.” At present, marijuana is tagged as 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. Carrying lesser quantities of the drug is punishable by 12 to 20 years in prison plus a fine of up to P500,000.--Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza
Pro-Duterte priests
President Rodrigo Duterte has been verbally attacking the belief of the Catholic faithful in God and the authority of the bishops and the priests on the parishes. He obviously hates the clergy.
The response of the Catholic Church hierarchy has been muted because there are diehard Duterte supporters among the clergy. These priests campaigned for Duterte in the 2016 elections.
These priests’ pride has pushed them to be silent, afraid of being called to task for supporting Duterte during the elections. Some of them are even Duterte supporters until now and rationalize his attacks on the Catholic Church.
I think priests are also to blame for this country having a President that is constantly sniping at the Catholic Church and the beliefs of the Catholic faithful. They can be said to have a hand in Duterte becoming president.--Desiderio Uytingco