2/20/2017 Duterteopentolegalizationofmedicalmarijuana

PHILIPPINES

Duterte open to legalization of medical marijuana

The President has 'no problem' with legalizing cannabis for medical purposes if the Food and Drug Administration
gives the greenlight

Pia Ranada
@piaranada
Published 4:30 PM, October 16, 2016
Updated 4:30 PM, October 16, 2016

THOUGHTS ON MARIJUANA. President Duterte says he is open to legalizing medical marijuana if the FDA gives its approval. Photo
by ROBINSON NINAL/Presidential Photo

MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, known for his all-consuming hatred of drugs, said he is open to
the legalization of medical marijuana if deemed benecial by the proper authorities.

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2/20/2017 Duterteopentolegalizationofmedicalmarijuana

"I'm not the authority for that. Its the Food and Drug Administration. If it's certied by the government and it's good

ne, no problem," he said during an interview with Al Jazeera made online on Saturday, October 15.

Duterte said FDA regulations mean such a proposal will have to go through studies.

"It must have this qualifying you know, activity, where it is being used to nd out if it's really medicinal or it can do
something good for the body," he said.

In some places, like some states in the United States, marijuana is legal for medical purposes such as for the
alleviation of pain. Marijuana can also be prescribed by doctors to treat muscle spasms, nausea from cancer
chemotherapy, and seizure disorders.

The Philippines, along with countries like Indonesia, France, China, Malaysia, and Singapore, have some of the
stricted laws against marijuana or cannabis.

Countries like Germany, Netherlands, India, and Canada, meanwhile, have the least restrictive cannabis laws.

There have been efforts in the Philippine Congress to legalize medical marijuana.

Duterte has been ercely vocal against drugs, particularly shabu or methamphetamine, saying it tears apart
Filipino families and heightens criminal tendencies.

He is at the helm of a controversial anti-drugs campaign that has been linked to deaths of over 3,300.
Rappler.com

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