2.

Resolved: That Medical Marijuana shall be legalized in the Philippines

Opposition – Constructive points (FIRST SPEAKER – NON-NECESSITY):

1. Medical marijuana is not necessary because essentially, it is not a cure in itself.

a. Of all the medical benefits that are enumerated and enjoyed through the use
of marijuana, none of them claims and proves that marijuana is the cure.
Marijuana only relieves the feeling of the person suffering from the disease, but
it does not cure the disease.
In fact, according to the Department of Health, using marijuana in its
raw form carries more danger of developing cancer and other
illnesses.
b. In fact, because it needs to be used to relieve the feeling of pain, it is prone to
abuse.
i. As a general principle, medical marijuana, also known as medicinal
cannabis is no different than standard marijuana.
ii. Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is classified as
a “Schedule I drug,” meaning it: (1) has the potential for abuse.
Baka icontend nila na the federal Controlled Substances Act
is a law in the US only. Pwede nimo ma-rebut na while US law
sya, the scientific and medical fact that marijuana is classified
as a drug that has the potential for abuse cannot be
questioned.
c. And absent of any compelling evidence that the use of medical marijuana
will not be abused in the Philippines cannot overcome the presumption that it
will be.
i. Sec. 2 of RA 6425 as amended by RA 9165 known and cited as the
“Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” recognizes that the
State has the obligation to safeguard the integrity of its territory and the
well-being of its citizenry from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on
their physical and mental well-being, and to defend the same against
acts or omissions detrimental to their development and preservation.
ii. No less than the lawmaking body of the Philippines has recognized the
danger that marijuana can cause to the people.
iii. There is no factual basis, and it is merely theoretical, that marijuana will
not be abused.
- In fact, based on the statistics issued by the Dangerous Drugs
Board in 2016 alone, a grand total of 6,079 drug abuse cases
from residential and out-patient facilities were reported, with
shabu, marijuana, and ecstacy as the substances of abuse.
 2. There is no need to legalize marijuana in the Philippines because marijuana, or
cannabis, can already be availed in the country for those needing it for medical
purposes by simply seeking permit from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
a. FDA Circular 2014-009 allowed the Food and Drug Administration to provide
Compassionate Special Permit to those needing to use drug products that are
not legalized in the country.
i. RA 6425 as amended by RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Drugs Act of
2002 includes marijuana resin, marijuana resin oil, and marijuana as
among those considered as illegal.

Sources:
https://www.ddb.gov.ph/research-statistics/statistics/45-research-and-statistics/329-
2016-statistics
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/10/07/doh-legalizing-marijuana-
not-necessary-502193
https://www.rappler.com/nation/95806-law-students-debate-medical-marijuana
RA 6425 as amended by RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Drugs Act of
2002

Most likely, te Mench, mao ni ang i-argue sa government side oh (regarding necessity):
Naa koy gi-provide na pwede points of rebuttal.

1. There is a necessity to pass this bill in order to comply with the constitutional
mandates and international obligations of promoting the right to health.
Rebuttal: The right to health is already upheld by the status quo. The Food
and Drug Administration may issue permit to those needing it for medical
purposes. (See Constructive Points No. 2 above)

2. There is a need to distinguish between the ill and the criminals, which can only
be done by this bill.
Rebuttal: This contention should be ignored because as already stated, the
FDA has the discretion to issue permits to those needing it for medical
purposes.
And so, the FDA has the obligation already to distinguish the ill and
the criminals, thus legalization is no longer necessary.