Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes as far back as

3,000 years ago and introduced into Western medicine in 1839.

In 1937, the U.S. Treasury Department introduced the
Marihuana Tax Act with a level of $1 per ounce for medicinal
use and $100 per ounce of non-medical use. In 1970, marijuana
was reclassified with the passage of the Controlled Substances
Act, joining heroin, LSD, mescalin, and methaqualone as
Schedule 1 drugs. In recent years, various states and territories
have legalized Cannabis for medical purposes. (12)

In the U.S. medical cannabis finds use in the treatment of pain,

, especially neuropathic pain. A cannabis strain named
Charlotte's Web, taken as oil, has shown potential to
dramatically reduce seizures in some epileptic children.
Marihuna is also being studied as potential treatment for
traumatic brain injury, the memory problems of Alzheimer's
disease, and bipolar disease. It has already found clinical
application in the palliative care, AIDS-related symptomatology,
spasticity, glaucoma, and many others.

House Bill 6517 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, which seeks to legalize
medical marijuana for medicinal purposes, is pending before the House of Representatives.

The measure prescribes the rules for the proper use of medical marijuana including the designation of
a qualified medical cannabis physician, a qualified medical cannabis patient who shall be issued an
identification card, a qualified medical cannabis caregiver and a qualified medical cannabis
compassionate center.

Last year, advocates of the legalization of the substance had also assured that access to the drug will
only be for qualified patients.

Some parents of children with serious mesdical conditions had also called for the passage of the
measure.
enever the legalization of medical marijuana gets bandied around, I say to
myself: no way in hell. Then, from out of the blue, in the early months of his
brutal war on drugs, Duterte announced: It's effective. . . I will not deprive
Filipinos of the benefits of medical marijuana. . . (but) I must have a clear
definition of what it is and it must be approved by the FDA.

While it is a milestone endorsement, the legalization of medical marihuana still

faces major hurdles along the path of approval. Senator Sotto, one of the
formidable critics of the bill, has already declared: "it is dead in the water."

Despite the death knell pronouncement of Senator Sotto's on the legalization

bill, the battle for legalization continues to forge forward. Duterte's
endorsement--I cannot deny the Filipino people the benefits of medical
marihuana---if it's not a "joke only" announcement---is a powerful war cry. He
can help muscle it through the political barriers in Congress. Other
professionals--doctors, lawyers, politicians, artists and musicians, and there
are many--can talk from experience or informed conviction of the
comparatively benign nature of marihuana, short-term or long-term, especially
when compared to all other recreational drugs, including alcohol.
Safest in any top 10 list
of
recreational drugs
In any top-ten list of
recreational drugs in the
U.S. (one example:
marihuana, alcohol, heroin,
LSD, benzodiazepines,
amphetamines, ecstasy,
cocaine, solvents, and
psychedelic mushrooms)
(5) marihuana is the most
popular recreational drug---
second to alcohol, when
alcohol is included in the
list. In 2014 in the US, with
17,465 deaths reported
from overdosing on illicit
drugs like heroin and
cocaine and 25,760 deaths
from overdosing on
prescription drugs (pain
killers and tranquilizers),
the number that overdosed
on marihuana was
astounding--zero. In the
same year, more than
30,700 Americans died
from alcohol-induced
causes, not including
alcohol-related deaths from
accidents and drunk
driving. (2)
Zero-overdose has been
boasted with unbelievable
numbers by various
studies: (1) The lethal dose
of marijuana is about one-
third of body weight or about 1,500 pounds, consumed all at once. (2) The
non-fatal consumption of 3000 mg/kg of THC by monkey or dog is comparable
Caveats & concerns
Despite it proven and potential benefits, caveats do
abound. Whether marihuana gets legalized for
medical use or its recreational use continues to be
illicit, unbiased education is essential. My
compilation on Philippine medicinal plants has an
entry on marihuana, a 101 replete with scientific
studies.
-- Potency: Different parts of the plant i.e., leaves
or flower tops, have different amounts of active
chemicals, and therefore, different intoxicant
potency—variability that makes marijuana a crude
drug. Today's marihuana has much higher potency
than the weed of the 70s. THC levels have risen
from less than 1% to more than 6% in 2002.
Sinsemilla potency has increased from 6% to 13%,
some samples boasting THC levels up to 33%.
Higher potency will cause more adverse
psychological effects. There is a direct correlation
between THC levels and impaired driving ability.
-- Anxiety and panic attacks: The increased
potency has resulted in an increased in ER visits
associated with acute anxiety and panic attacks.
This will hold especially true for naive and first-time
users, and users unfamiliar with the markedly
increased potency of new marijuana.
-- Addictiveness: Contrary to popular myth that
holds to marihuana being non-addictive, current
research suggests marijuana is both physically and
psychologically addictive.
-- Adulterants: Marijuana is sometimes sold laced
with mind-altering adulterants like angel dust
(PCP), meth, and cocaine.
-- Medical marihuana vs synthetic THC: Medical
marijuana in pills and capsules from the plant form
is different from synthetic THC. See Marihuana
-- Vaping and electronic cigarettes: These
gadgets have taken the use of recreational
marijuana out into public spaces.
-- Potential Drug Interactions: See potential drug
interactions (Marihuana).
-- Studies: Scientific studies are uploaded and
frequently updated at StuartXchange. (Marihuana
to a 154-lb human eating 46 lbs (21 kg) of 1% marijuana or 10 lbs of 5%
hashish at one time. (3) A 154-lb human smoking 3 lbs (1.28 kg) of marijuana
or 250,000 times the usual smoked dose. These incredible numbers make
claims of safety---one that cannot be made by any common psychoactive
agents including alcohol and barbiturates. (Phillips et al. 1971, Brill et al. 1970) (13)

Zero overdose?
There are, however, contrarian views to the zero-fatal-overdose claim. One
cites 287 deaths due to cannabis or its derivatives in 2014. However, the
majority of these deaths involved drug mixing, i.e. co-ingestion of marijuana
with alcohol, an opioid, cocaine, or some other drug. Only 18 deaths were
attributed to cannabis use alone. (14) Indeed, the incredible increase in
potency of "new" marijuana could very change the picture of zero-overdose.
The LD50 (lethal half dose) for THC in humans is around 30 mg/kg. This
suggests approximately 2 grams (0.07 ounces) of pure THC found in 0.35
ounces of high grade weed with 20% THC content can be potentially fatal to a
150 pound man. The DEA reported that concentrated THC derivatives (wax,
dabs, butane hash oil) with up to 80% THC are now available in the streets---
1/10th of an ounce would contain the lethal half dose of 2 gms of THC. (14)

Rising Cardiovascular Events

Perhaps, rather than overdose criteria, studies can also look into adverse or
idiosyncratic reactions. A French study reported increasing cardiovascular
complications related to cannabis use (with a death rate of 25.6%) indicating
cannabis as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease in young adults.
In a collection of spontaneous reports by the French Addictovigilance Network
from 2006 to 2010, 1.8% of all cannabis-related reports (35/1979) were
cardiovascular complications, mostly men (85.7%), average age 34.3 years,
with 22 cardiac complications (20 acute coronary syndromes), 10 peripheral
complications (lower limb or juvenile arteriopathies and Buerger-like diseases)
and 3 cerebral complications (acute cerebral angiopathy, transient cortical
blindness, and cerebral artery spasm) and in 9 cases, the event led to patient
death. Perceived harmless by the general public and legalization of use being
debated, the data concerning its danger must be widely disseminated. (15)
In the Philippines, PDEA Cannabis has been used for medicinal
lists shabu as the most purposes as far back as 3,000 years ago
abused drug, followed by and introduced into Western medicine in
marihuana, ecstasy, and 1839. In 1937, the U.S. Treasury
solvents. (6) The list does Department introduced the Marihuana Tax
not include alcohol as an Act with a level of $1 per ounce for
abused recreational drug. medicinal use and $100 per ounce of non-
medical use. In 1970, marijuana was
It was the scourge of reclassified with the passage of the
shabu that triggered Controlled Substances Act, joining heroin,
Duterte's brutal war on LSD, mescalin, and methaqualone as
drugs. Marihuana got Schedule 1 drugs. In recent years, various
caught in the crosshair. states and territories have legalized
That Duterte endorsed it Cannabis for medical purposes. (12)
for medical use speaks of
his conviction on its safety In the U.S. medical cannabis finds use in
and potential for medical the treatment of pain, especially
use. Comparing marijuana neuropathic pain. A cannabis strain named
with shabu is ridiculous --- Charlotte's Web, taken as oil, has shown
but if needs be, in potential to dramatically reduce seizures in
comparative sidewalk some epileptic children. Marihuna is also
lingo, shabu causes being studied as potential treatment for
aggression, violence, loss traumatic brain injury, the memory
of appetite and weight loss, problems of Alzheimer's disease, and
while marijuana causes bipolar disease. It has already found
chilling out, relaxation, clinical application in the palliative care,
munchies, and weight gain. AIDS-related symptomatology, spasticity,
Hands down, marihuana is glaucoma, and many others.
a far-cry safer than all
other recreational drugs, including alcohol.

In most cultures and all corners of the world, recreational drugs have become
an essential part of socialization, of man's voyage of exploration, his search
for repose, his need to unwind. Ancient and aboriginal cultures are rife with
love potions, hallucinogens, anxiolytics, and stimulants from leaves, seeds
and flowers of plants. Modern recreational needs invented synthetics and
analogs and a menu of other designer drugs. Reaching that state of high,
bliss, or euphoria has become part of the human condition. Even in the
Philippines, our forests are rich with natural stimulants and hallucinogens of
seeds, leaves, and flowers, known in the boondocks and by the mountain folk.
The culture of recreational marihuana was here long before shabu gained
inroads into culture of drugs. In the Philippines—the niche indulgence of the
burgis and the literati, artists and musicians. In the U.S. marihuana gained
outlaw status, not because of crime, violence, overdoses or deaths associated
with its use, but, rather, because it was the counter-culture herb, the drug that
fueled the decade of protests by flower-children with their ideals promoting
love and peace. Even with laws that criminalized it, marihuana became the
most popular staple drug for socializing. With de-scheduling and
decriminalization, marihuana has become an acceptable social fare--a de
rigueur indulgence--to provide the familiar buzz, to fuel many social
encounters, and for many, to provide that creative state of mind, sine qua
non for many personal creative endeavors and eurekas.

Despite the war on drugs in the Philippines, the underground marijuana

culture and commerce is alive and well, serving the market of recreational
use, as well as medicinal needs, by-passing the burdensome bureaucracy of
applying for compassionate use.

Certainly a late-comer in Philippine medicine, marihuana should not be denied

its medicinal potential. Rather than just a buzz or a high or chilling out, why
not relieve pain and the many discomforts of disease and maladies of
aging. Guerir quelquefois, soulager souvent, consoler toujours. To cure
occasionally, relieve often, console always: Both tenet and maxim, it guides
many in their practice of medicine. Marihuana does not claim to cure (yet) but
it can prevent sometimes, and relieve often.

More studies?
An October 17, 2017 Inquirer opinion article by Dr. Castillo "Attaining a
reasonable middle ground on medical marijuana" warned against haste in
legalizing it, and instead, encouraged funding for research on health benefits
and side effects. (9)

What don't we know about it that will be answered by doing more studies in
this country? Marijuana might be the most studied plant on Earth. As of 2010,
there have been over 20,000 published studies and reviews in scientific
literature pertaining to marijuana and its active compounds. (8) And, without a
doubt, since then, many thousands more.

There is already extensive evidence of benefits for palliative and

compassionate use by patients with grave illnesses, the terminally ill, the
elderly, and patients with AIDS and its potential benefits for chronic pain,
spasticity, glaucoma, anorexia and nausea, seizure disorders, and a myriad of
other diseases. We are awash with the science and studies. Even the church,
surprisingly, has expressed support on the use of marijuana for
compassionate use.

Rather than more studies of the same, we can focus on the old and
predictable problems and novel challenges legalization will bring to the
forefront---production, distribution, vetting of physicians, patient monitoring,
control measures, to name a few. Marijuana has been studied for use in
addiction recovery treatments, to curb alcohol cravings, as alternative to
prescription drugs, as substitute for more potent opiates and cocaine. Does it
have a place in the alleviation of shabu addiction that afflicts millions of
Filipinos, a drug that has a recidivism rate of more than 90% within a year?
Perhaps, this is a worthwhile study. Perhaps, marijuana can be a step-down
drug in methamphetamine addiction treatment programs to prevent relapse.

That legalization of medical marijuana has come to this point of debate and
possibility underscores its relative safety and potential---borne by decades of
studies and safety. But despite its negative and renegade reputation, besides
what studies have shown on short-term and long-term effects, marijuana is far
and away much safer and more benign than any other recreational drug or
addictive substance (including alcohol), causing a thousand times less
disease and deaths than alcohol or tobacco smoking.

On the oppositional end, legalization--if it happens--will be threatened by the

black market industry of recreational marijuana with the same cast of
underworld characters and drug lords of the criminal supply chain, corrupt
politicians, and bribing law-enforcement scalawags. Even the user-end of it is
a veritable hornet's nest of unethical physicians, tweaked diagnoses,
prescription abuse, and non-patient or pass-on use.

Legalization of medical marijuana will see an increase in recreational use.

Yes, for some, I believe, it will be a gateway drug. Yes, for some it will be
addicting. While marijuana boasts of zero deaths from overdose, its use has
undoubtedly contributed to vehicular accidents and, perhaps, deaths,
especially when combined with moderate alcohol consumption. The risk
associated with marijuana in combination with alcohol appears to be greater
than that for either drug by itself. Epidemiologic data show the risk of
involvement in a motor vehicle accident increases approximately 2-fold after
cannabis smoking. Recent smoking and/or blood THC concentrations 2-5
ng/mL has been shown to be associated with substantial driving impairment.
(7) Vehicular accidents associated with its use---and especially when used
with alcohol---should be meted with stiff fines and driving license revocation.
The bottom line is: It is effective, and Filipinos in need should not be denied its
benefits. While questions and issues on safety are crucial points for continued
debate, cannabis is still safer than all the other recreational drugs, including
alcohol, with less toxicity than some over the counter pain-killers. Debate
should be accompanied by unbiased education and dissemination of its pros
and cons and risks and benefits. There will be many challenges for the think
tank of politicians, physicians, and powers that be in law enforcement and
regulatory agencies.

As a physician, I support the legalization of marijuana for medical use. And,

further, I would support the decriminalization of possession into a
misdemeanor. Regardless of the outcome, marijuana should be removed from
the deadly list in this country's murderous war on drugs.
Gra* has a condition called multiple sclerosis, which debilitates her brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Every attack is
different: Sometimes, upper and lower extremities weaken. On some days, she goes blind. Often, Ira cannot stand, or
walk, which for MS patients, can become extremely painful. Due to her illness, Ira has wrestled with bouts of
depression and helpless agony. So when a cured epileptic patient told her his story about the miraculous effect of
cannabis oil, she had to try it. She uses it sparingly: Two drops before sleep, and her tremors dwindle.

Romeo* never expected to make the hospital his second home. One day, Romeo found his infant son black and blue,
not breathing. The eight-month-old just had a seizure. Sachi would be diagnosed with infantile hemiplegia, cerebral
palsy, global developmental delay, and epilepsy. The baby would have nine to 15 seizures a day. On his
grandmother’s birthday, Sachi had an unstoppable two-hour seizure. His oxygen dropped to a critical level, his blood
sugar shot up, he vomited continuously, and his temperature spiked dangerously. Romeo grappled with the constant
challenge of keeping his baby alive, hopeless in the face of his son’s dangerous medical condition. Sachi would be
confined with every seizure, given Dormicum (a medicine similar to Valium) and five anti-convulsant drugs. Not only
did the disease cripple the family financially, it posed challenges to the growing boy, who lived with an altered self-
image, wobbliness, and orthosis, making socializing and even going to school difficult, almost impossible. With almost
a of medical ll medicinal options exhausted, Romeo started researching. He found the story he needed after watching
Weed, a CNN documentary by Dr. Sanjay Gupta: That of Charlotte Figi’s, who suffered from 300 seizures a week,
but who found respite after using medical marijuana. Romeo wanted it for Sachi, but even the desperate parent
couldn’t fathom a life in prison. Like many, Romeo faces the double whammy, a desperate dilemma, as the use of
marijuana renders one a criminal, facing life imprisonment.

Legalizing Marijuana
Marijuana in the Philippines is controlled by the black market - and the government has been unsuccessful in trying to
curb its use and distribution. Many Filipinos have asked to legalize the use of medical marijuana, but as of press time,
the lobby has been unsuccessful. Groups like the Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society supports families and
patients like Ira, Sachi, and Romeo. They work on getting their stories out and use these stories to convince
legislators that they need access to an alternative cure, which they see in cannabis. The successful lobbying of
medical marijuana has encouraged 69 house representatives to co-author HB4477. More and more doctors, patients,
and citizens have come out in support of it. It has gained enough momentum that many hope that one day, the
Philippines will become the first Asian country to legalize the use of medical marijuana.

House Bill No. 4477 or the Co mpassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act seeks to decriminalize the use of the
plant for patients with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, HIV, multiple sclerosis, and
lupus among other
The proposal is clear-cut, and guards against the abuse of the plant. To regulate the use of cannabis, proponents say
that a Medical Cannabis Authority should be established and led by a director general, to be appointed by the
President of the Philippines, from a list of physicians recommended by the secretary of Health.

When it comes to getting access to it, a recommendation made by a qualified Medical Cannabis Physician will be
given after completing a thorough medical assessment. After getting a recommendation, Medical Cannabis cards will
be issued to patients to draw the line between them and non-patients. The issuance of the cards will have established
rules and regulations which includes suspension, revocation, and confiscation upon abuse. Medical Cannabis
Compassionate Centers, with the proper licensing and requirements, will also start operating. These centers will
issue the physician-recommended cards and will serve as dispensaries where patients can pick up their medications
from.

The Philippines will also ensue the research of cannabis as a treatment, joining other countries in a global
revolutionary attempt to find a cure to incurable diseases.

Weeding The Issue

So, why not? The use of cannabis as medicine dates back thousands of years, in almost every culture in the world.
There are no proven facts that marijuana has caused death in patients who use it. Even as more researchers
discover the benefits of the plant, it continues to remain taboo especially in a conservative country like the
Philippines.

Many continue to fight for a chance to try medical marijuana for their sick loved ones and for the millions of other
Filipinos who can benefit from this medically. Citizens in countries where medical marijuana is legal use it to help with
stress, anxiety, body aches, migraines, appetite, insomnia, among others. The oil is proven to be great for the skin
and numerous hemp skin products have come out in the market worldwide. Why are we blocking its use? Chemo
patients pay thousands for a single session wishing for it to work, when an alternative can be grown in their backyard.
The Philippines is perfect for growing the plant, and with over majority of the population living in poverty, marijuana
will be an accessible and cheap alternative for those who cannot afford the more expensive medicines.

The artists in our communities, where majority of the support comes from, feels that they should be a major part in
pushing the movement. Banal, a songwriter who cured his asthma by medicating with marijuana, has started
preaching about the plant in his songs. He sees himself as a spokesperson for cannabis and publicly urges people to
open their eyes to herbal medication as a better and cheaper way to a healthier mind and body.

The Cannabis Movement in the United States began flourishing because it became mainstream. It became a big
trend as influential people started to publicly support it. Instead of portraying it as a menace to society, supporters are
promoting the healing qualities to shed light in a new direction.

But in the Philippines, the prohibition instills hesitation and sometimes fear. Maria, an established artist, said that her
belief in the plant does not make her worry about how society will judge her but how the law will. Joseph, an
entrepreneur, is also hesitant in publicly advocating for it because he does not want to be branded as an addict which
may in turn affect his business venture. Yet both remain hopeful that if the Filipino people took a stand that an
alternative medicine is needed in a society stricken by extreme poverty, the legalization of compassionate use can
happen.

Compassion shouldn’t depend on the capacity of a government to implement its policies. The government’s inability
to control the black market shouldn’t be the reason medical marijuana should be illegal. Just as a doctor’s job is to
keep their innocent patients alive.
Despite being caught in the throes of an ultraviolent war on drugs, Filipino lawmakers
have decided to keep medical marijuana patients safe and clear from the ongoing
massacre.
The Philippine House of Representatives committee on Wednesday endorsed their
approval of marijuana use for medical purposes, reports Newsweek.
House Bill 180, authored by Rep. Rodito Albano, establishes a set of rules for proper
medical marijuana regulation, which includes the designations to qualify as a medical
cannabis patient with a government-issued identification card. The bill also designates
qualifications for cannabis physicians, caregivers, and dispensaries.

“I have high hopes under the Duterte administration that this measure would be enacted
into law. Finally, there is hope for our people, especially our children, who suffer from
medical conditions like epilepsy, cancer and multiple sclerosis,” Albano told the Phil
Star.
The move to legalize medical marijuana is somewhat surprising, as President Rodrigo
Duterte continues to murder thousands of Filipinos in the name of a glorified drug
war. The decision was made just one day after lawmakers approved the re-introduction
of the death penalty for drug-related crimes.
Albeit confusing, legalizing medical cannabis during the height of anti-drug fervor is a
political stance Duterte has believed in even before taking the highest office in the
island nation.

“Medicinal marijuana, yes, because it is really an ingredient of modern medicine now.

There are drugs right now being developed or already in the market that (have)
marijuana as a component,” he said during his prior position as mayor of Davao City.
“If you just smoke it like a cigarette, I will not allow it, ever. It remains to be a prohibited
item and there’s always a threat of being arrested,” added Duterte. “If you choose to
fight the law enforcement agency, you die.”

The RAND Drug Policy Research Center is a non-partisan research center

dedicated to providing objective analysis and research to decisionmakers.
We do not have an official policy position on marijuana reform and more
generally RAND does not advocate for or against legislation at any level of
government.

But for more than 25 years, RAND researchers have published articles and
studies that will be useful for those making decisions about marijuana policy.
Here we summarize some of these studies and provide links to the
publications (some journal articles may require subscription). This is not an
exhaustive list of RAND's marijuana-related publications and we encourage
readers to visit http://dprc.rand.org for more information.