Pubdate: Fri, 26 Nov 2004
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Ben R. Rosario
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

SOLON WANTS ADDICTIVE MARIJUANA LEGALIZED

The Cordillera lawmaker's plan to push for the legalization of marijuana 
yesterday drew a howl of protest among opposition congressmen who warned 
that the move would worsen the already serious drug abuse problem in the 
country.

But before his statement could be misunderstood by the public, 
Representative Solomon Chungalao (Lakas, Mountain Province) clarified that 
the legalization of the addictive plant's use will only be limited to 
laboratory tests and other similar endeavors aimed at determining the 
medicinal value of marijuana.

Opposition Representative Rodolfo Plaza (NPC, Agusan del Sur) made a swift 
swipe at Chuangalao's statement which he aired during the defense of the 
budget proposal of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on the 
House of Representatives floor.

"The opposition is against any plan to legalize marijuana, shabu, or any 
other dangerous drug, for that matter," Plaza declared.

The opposition stalwart made the declaration after Pampanga Representative 
Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, who was tasked to defend the PDEA budget, 
echoed Chuangalao's view that marijuana indeed has medicinal properties 
that are being exploited in other countries.

Chuangalao, chairman of the House committee on national cultural 
minorities, said he merely aired the possibility of tapping the medicinal 
use of the plant but doing so will require amendments to the Dangerous 
Drugs Code that classifies marijuana as dangerous drug, in the same 
category as the harmful shabu.

"Morphine, a strong anti-pain drug, comes from poppies where opium and 
other dangerous drugs are derived. I do not see why marijuana, which is 
addictive but has no proven harmful effects to the health, cannot be 
considered for its medicinal value," he said.

The administration solon also came to the defense of Arroyo, son of 
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, saying that the neophyte congressman 
merely supported the truth in stating that marijuana use is legal in other 
countries.

"I hope my suggestion to explore the possibility of tapping the medicinal 
value of marijuana is not taken out of context. I have not yet filed a bill 
about it because I am still gathering more information about the pros and 
cons of the idea," Chuangalao said.

However, the lawmaker also admitted that his province and other Cordillera 
remain the main source of marijuana in the country.

"Farmers plant marijuana because of poverty," Chuangalao said.
- ---