Philippine Senator Robin Padilla has filed nationwide bill that would legalize and regulate marijuana for medical use.
The Cannabis Medicalization Act was filed June 30 as one of Padilla’s top 10 priority measures for the 20th Congress. The proposal was introduced during the previous Congress as Senate Bill 2573, and although it reached the Senate plenary and gained support from 13 senators, it did not pass a final vote.
Padilla says the proposal would allow patients with a physician recommendation to obtain and possess medical cannabis, including establish a system of licensed dispensaries. Padilla says the bill includes strict controls over cultivation, manufacturing, and distributio.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, has signed on as a co-sponsor. He said the measure is consistent with the Philippines’ existing anti-illegal drug laws.
The legislation would create the Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority (PMCA), operating under the Department of Health to implement and enforce the program.
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