Duterte now against legalization of medical marijuana in PH

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally in Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center, Negros Occidental on March 8, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Contrary to his previous remarks, President Rodrigo Duterte now said he is against the legalization of medical marijuana.

Duterte said this in his speech during the campaign rally of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Negros Occidental on Friday, March 8.

“Not in my time. Maybe some other — some other president,” he said.

“I am ignorant of that kind of research, I must admit. And I do not read it and I do not intend to legalize it. Ayaw ko. Gawain mo lang excuse ‘yan eh. Magtatanim ka ng iyo. Sabihin mo, ‘Medicinal man kaya ‘to (I do not want to. You will just use it as an excuse.

You will plant your own and say ‘this is for medicinal purposes’),” he added.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said the President will sign any proposal legalizing the use of medical marijuana in the country.

“Since the President already made a statement that he is in favor of limited use of marijuana, logically he will support and sign any bill that would be consisted with his stand,” the Palace official said.

The President, in December 2018, admitted that he uses marijuana to keep him awake amid his jam-packed schedule but later took back what he said, explaining that it was only a joke.

[READ: Duterte admits marijuana use, says he was joking]

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also previously revealed that she herself uses medical marijuana to ease the pain she is suffering from her cervical spine problem.

[READ: Arroyo says she uses medical marijuana]

Arroyo, who has multilevel cervical spondylosis, is one of the authors of House Bill (HB) No. 6517 also known as the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Bill.

Once signed by the Chief Executive, the bill will establish medical cannabis compassionate center (MCCC) or entities that are “registered and licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) to acquire, possess, deliver, transfer, transport, sell, supply and dispense cannabis, devices or related supplies and educational materials to duly registered qualified patients.”

Stated in the bill, a patient will only be qualified to use medical marijuana if he or she has been diagnosed as “having a debilitating medical condition.”

Voting 163-5-3, lawmakers approved HB 6517 on third and final reading in January 2019.