WHEN Miss Philippines Catriona Gray won as Miss Universe last December, some people said it was her answer to the question about legislation on marijuana that clinched it for her.
She was asked for her opinion on the legalization of marijuana. She replied: “I’m for it being used in a medical use but not so for recreational use because I think if people were to argue what about alcohol and cigarettes? So, everything is good but in moderation.”
If that answer didn’t win the pageant judges’ votes, it definitely endeared her to Philippine political leaders. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, when asked to comment soon after the pageant, said, “Catriona Gray’s position on the legalization of marijuana for healing purposes could have been influenced by PRRD’s (President Rodrigo Duterte’s) stand on the matter.” Or, he added, she could have analyzed the issue and come up with that conclusion.
Duterte joked two weeks before about using marijuana to stay awake at official functions. Reports had come out then about his missing diplomatic functions abroad to take power naps. He had said: “It’s a killing activity. But at my age, I am not really bothered because I take marijuana to stay awake.”
All this marijuana talk is now leading to the possible approval of a new law allowing medical cannabis or medical marijuana. What was surprising was that other government officials like House Speaker Gloria Arroyo followed suit by expressing sentiments agreeing to the proposal. It’s not that the President influenced them, but it is worth noting how several other officials backed the move and even confessed to using cannabis for some pain or condition.
The House of Representatives approved last week House Bill 6517, otherwise known as the “Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act.” Under the proposed law, medical cannabis shall only be accessed through hospitals duly-licensed by the Department of Health, and only those who have been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition can avail themselves of it. It likewise penalizes people who will use cannabis for purposes other than treatment.
It is now up to the Senate to have its own version of the bill. A bicameral conference committee will ratify the legislation; after that, the President will sign it into law.
At this point when individual votes are needed, influence from above or the person who calls the shots could play a role. A legislator may be influenced by the pronouncements of support of others, including President Duterte’s whose stance on the issue could bear some weight.
Legislators represent the people and are tasked to make decisions based on what is best for their constituents. Let’s hope the decision of legislators will be based on what they know is best and not because of some influence exerted on them or for fear of displeasing someone especially as the election is nearing.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)