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[av_heading heading=’ House panel OKs medical marijuana ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The House of Representatives health committee on Tuesday approved a bill allowing patients with debilitating medical conditions to use cannabis, or marijuana, for treatment.
House Bill No. 180, or the “Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act,” legalizes using marijuana for medical treatment.
Authored by Rep. Rodolfo Albano (Isabela), the bill seeks to establish Medical Cannabis Compassionate Centers in state-accredited hospitals, specialty hospitals and private tertiary hospitals.
The centers, which must be licensed by the Department of Health, may sell, supply and dispense cannabis to qualified patients or caregivers.
“This bill should not be deemed in any manner to advocate, authorize, promote, or legally or socially accept the use of cannabis or marijuana for any nonmedical use,” Albano said.
“The bill provides for control measures and regulation on the medical use of cannabis to ensure the patients’ safety and for the effective and efficient implementation of the Act,” he added.
Only pharmacists with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-issued S3 license are allowed to sell and dispense the substance, said Albano.
The bill also seeks the creation of Medical Cannabis Research and Safety Compliance Facilities, where scientific and medical research on the medical use of marijuana may be conducted.
Moreover, patients with debilitating conditions qualified to undergo marijuana treatment must be certified by their physicians and issued identification cards by the Health department.
Marijuana is classified a prohibited drug under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
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