A POLICE raid in a posh subdivision in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City, on Tuesday, May 27, led authorities to uncover a disturbing trend — the use of liquid marijuana (MJ) for vaping.
While this is considered a breakthrough in local anti-drug operations, the Bacolod police admitted they’re unfamiliar with this particular modus operandi and are now working to trace the syndicate behind it.
Yes, MJ for vaping isn’t new nationwide — but it is alarming, especially now that it has surfaced in Bacolod.
Colonel Joeresty Coronica, director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), revealed that vaping with liquid MJ has been reported in other parts of the country. However, in Bacolod it remains largely under the radar.
The suspect, a resident of Barangay 3, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, admitted during interrogation that a supplier from Luzon regularly sends him liquid MJ through a courier service. He then resells it — reportedly to patrons and even some vape shops in Bacolod — at P5,000 per cartridge.
Police recovered 17 cartridges of liquid marijuana from the suspect’s possession.
The suspect was arrested along with two others – one a resident of Barangay Banago and the other a resident of Barangay Sum-ag – in their rented house at Manville Subdivision. However, he refused to name his supplier.
Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez, chief of the BCPO Drug Enforcement Unit, said they will coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the city government for a planned inspection of all vape shops in the city.
‘Dab’ or ‘Wax’
According to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), one in every seven Filipino students aged 13 to 15 is already engaged in vaping — with most users being male.
“This is quite alarming,” remarked Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral upon learning of the statistics.
“Marijuana is marijuana — it has both good and bad effects,” she said. “If it’s used for medication, it’s beneficial. But if it’s used for recreation, that’s where the danger lies.”
She added that it’s even more concerning if Bacolod’s young vapers are using concentrated liquid marijuana.
Commonly referred to as “dab” or “wax,” this form of MJ is particularly dangerous. It contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives users a potent high, Maestral explained.
In 2017, the Department of Health (DOH) supported House Bill 180, the proposed Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act authored by then-Isabela First District Representative Rodolfo Albano III. However, the bill failed to pass into law.
Thus, the DOH continues to remind the public that any recreational use of MJ remains illegal and punishable under Philippine law.
Meanwhile, Colonel Coronica vowed to delve deeper into this emerging trend in an effort to protect the city’s youth from potential addiction.
A Complex Topic
MJ for vaping isn’t just another headline — it’s an issue that demands urgent attention, especially from parents of teenagers.
Some may view vaping as a social habit or even a status symbol among teens. But if THC-infused cartridges are now in circulation — as police reports suggest — parents must act before their children are already lost in a haze of addiction. It’s a sad and dangerous reality.
One line from a reading I came across recently sticks with me: “Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic is alcohol, morphine, or idealism.”
This issue is not easy to discuss — it is complex. Medically, it may be approached with nuance. But once THC is in the picture, we must pause and think hard.
Colonel Coronica is right: addressing this new threat requires a united effort. It cannot be left solely to the police or health agencies. And it begins at home. Parents must play a crucial role. Because when vigilance at home is lacking, children’s futures are at stake.
The police will do their part in arresting offenders. But what if the addiction has already taken deep root? What if it’s already too late? Who takes the blame then?
See? It’s simple: heed the warnings now — from the police and health experts — before it’s too late.
Just remember this line: MJ is dangerous to your health — and your future!/PN
