Pubdate: Tue, 30 Nov 2004
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Philippine Daily Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.inquirer.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1073
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

PROPONENT OF POT USE STUNNED BY REACTION

Suddenly, this congressman has found his 15 minutes of fame.

Thrust into the limelight by his proposal to legalize the use of marijuana 
for medical purposes, Ifugao Representative Solomon Chungalao has been 
overwhelmed by the adverse reaction to his proposal from the police, the 
Catholic Church and other sectors.

"Before even drafting and filing the bill... I floated the idea to search 
out the opinions and ideas of certain concerned people, knowing pretty well 
that the arguments against it were aplenty," Chungalao told the Inquirer 
here on Sunday.

Chungalao said he was forced to defend his proposal after some sectors used 
it to attack the First Family, particularly Pampanga Representative Juan 
Miguel Arroyo, who had initially endorsed the idea.

He said he proposed the idea "in frustration" because he had wondered why 
some of his fellow Cordillerans would risk going to jail by cultivating and 
transporting marijuana.

"All those who cultivate marijuana come from poor areas. They have no roads 
to speak of," he said.

Chungalao clarified that he was not condoning the cultivation of marijuana. 
"Those who transport and use cannabis illegally will still be punished 
according to our laws," he said.

He said the bill would only affect "a very limited area and a very limited 
group of people."

"I brought into the discussion the possibility of excluding marijuana among 
other drugs, and of tapping the medicinal aspect and properties of 
marijuana to legalize its production, even on a limited scale in limited 
areas," he said.
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