PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is "absolutely" rejecting the legalization of medical marijuana as he feared the possible "spread of addiction" in the country, MalacaƱang said on Tuesday, March 12.
This came a day after Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said there might be "no change of mind" on the President's stance on the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.
In a press conference, Panelo said Duterte was no longer open to legalizing the use of medical marijuana because drug syndicates could use it to sell the cannabis plant for recreational activities.
"He doesn't like kasi ang feeling niya (because he feels that) you (drug syndicates) will be using that as an excuse. Baka lumaki ng lumaki lang. Kaya not during my time, sabi niya. Sa ibang panahon siguro, sabi niya (It will be a problem. That's why he said, 'Not during my time, perhaps, in other time')," the Palace official said.
"Ako, I agree with him now that when you open it, there are -- alam niyo naman ang mga Pilipino, ang gagaling natin. There are many ways. Baka lalong mag-spread nga. Eh ayaw nga niya ng addiction tapos bibigyan mo ng opening 'yung isa. Ayaw niya 'yun," he added.
(I agree with him now that when you open it, you know, Filipinos are good so for them, there are many ways. There might be a spread. He doesn't want addiction and yet, you'll give an opening for marijuana. He doesn't like it.)
READ: Duterte says 'No' to medical marijuana
Under Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the use of marijuana is prohibited. The penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million will be slapped against individual who possesses at least 500 grams of marijuana or at least 10 grams of marijuana resin.
On January 29, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading House Bill 6517, seeking to legalize the use and research of medical marijuana in the country.
Duterte earlier said he was in favor of the legalization of the prohibited substance as long as it will be used to treat diseases.
The President, however, said in a speech in Negros Occidental on March 8 that he would not permit the legalization of marijuana, as he floated the possibility that it might be used as an excuse to cultivate the cannabis for other purposes.
Panelo said Duterte could only change his mind on medical marijuana if there are already "definite" findings that the illegal substance is indeed beneficial for treating diseases.
"Ang sabi niya pa, dinagdagan niya, dapat 'yung mga medical muna ang mag-ano, mag-decide diyan kung talagang totoong nakaka-gamot iyan. Kasi sa ngayon, sabi niya, hindi naman ano eh, kumbaga hindi definitive ang findings. May nagsasabing pwede, may nagsasabing hindi. So he doesn't want to risk the spread of addiction in this country," he said.
(He said, medical experts should decide whether it really helps to treat diseases. Because as of now, he said, the findings are not definitive. Some say it's effective, some say it's not. So he doesn't want to risk the spread of addiction in this country.)
"Eh kung definite na ang findings, siguro he might change his mind. Sa ngayon siguro baka nabasa niya yung sinasabi ng iba, hindi naman, case-to-case basis. Mahirap (If the findings are definite, perhaps, he might change his mind. As of now, he might have read that it's not effective, it's a case-to-case basis)," Panelo added. (SunStar Philippines)