Pubdate: Mon, 06 Dec 2004
Source: Manila Standard (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Manila Standard
Contact:  http://www.manilastandardonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3450
Author: Christine F. Herrera
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

GOVT OWNS MARIJUANA PLANTATIONS

On a "high" from scoring big in debates on the marijuana issue, Ifugao
Rep. Solomon Chungalao yesterday identified 100 hectares of existing
marijuana plantations in the Cordilleras that are ready for
"legalization."

Ironically, the owner of these huge "Mary Jane plantations" is none
other than "the government," Chungalao told Manila Standard in an
exclusive interview.

Chungalao, who is lobbying for a bill legalizing marijuana for medical
use, said that in his district of Ifugao alone, two marijuana sites
have been identified in the farflung and mountainous barangays of
Tinoc and Hungduan.

There are also marijuana plantations in some parts of Benguet, Kalinga
and Abra, he disclosed.

"See, we don't need to convert the Banawe rice terraces, vegetable and
flower farms into marijuana plantations because these have been in
existence for centuries." Chungalao pointed out.

Chungalao ran into a maelstrom of controversy last week for pushing
the bill and suggesting that the Banawe rice terraces be converted to
marijuana plantations. He said legalizing the mind-altering hemp,
which he described as a "high value crop," could bring progress to the
depressed Cordillera provinces.

His suggestions triggered violent opposition from political and
religious leaders.

Marijuana, or cannabis sativa, is a potent intoxicating substance that
numbs the senses and brings on a "high" or feeling of well-being that
lasts approximately three hours. High doses can cause paranoia and
delusions. But it may also be used in the treatment of glaucoma, and
lessening the pain, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer
chemotherapy, and for restoring the appetite in people with AIDS.

Attention-Getting

By legalizing these plantations, the government would be doing the
depressed Cordillera provinces and the police a "big favor."

He said marijuana requires little maintenance and manpower, yet its
yield would raise "more than enough" revenue to make the Cordilleras
self-sufficient.

Asked why he suggested the rice terraces, vegetable and flower farms
in depressed areas for conversion in the first place, Chungalao said
nobody would have paid attention if he did not.

"I just thought the need to emphasize that the rice terraces,
vegetable and flower farms have been neglected by the government.
They're underdeveloped, ill maintained and do not produce enough
income for our people," he said. "Now, thanks to you, people know that
the so-called Eighth Wonder of the world has skipped notice and care
of the government, and I hope they will start caring."

"We cannot stop unscrupulous individuals from making so much money
from marijuana," he said. "Why not legalize these plantations instead,
to improve the people's lives, and prevent marijuana lords from
prolifting from it."

It has become a "vicious cycle" and "frustrating" for the police to
raid, uproot and burn marijuana without end, he said.

"The police could not just uproot a crop that has been in existence
for centuries. You uproot marijuana then you might as well collect
every little seed that falls into the ground while in the process of
uprooting them. Otherwise, it will just regrow, die and regrow again
without let-up."

Only the Rich Benefit

He said only a few people get rich out of the plantation because the
only ones who can afford to harvest them are "big people who have big
bucks."

For one, the only ones who could penetrate the marijuana plantations
are those who have access to choppers.

The areas, he said, are inaccessible to any form of land
transportation except through air. This is because it takes weeks
before anyone can reach the areas by foot.

"To get there, you have to scale the mountains and clear the thick
forest."

Chungalao said the plantations are at the heart of the mountains and
in the middle of the forests where no one would dare go.

"That's why marijuana is expensive. It may not require attention and
massive manpower to plant and maintain, but it requires money to
harvest and transport the goods," he said.

Since marijuana is illegal, the risk of transporting "grass" makes it
a very expensive commodity.

Limitations

Under Chungalao's proposal, only the identified 100 ha would be
accredited as plantation sites and the harvest would be brought
directly to accredited laboratories.

Only authorized personnel will be allowed to set foot in the
plantations, he said.

Once legalized, Chungalao said, the plantation would make people of
the Cordilleras directly profit from them.

But whether or not the Dangerous Drugs Act needs to be amended to make
marijuana illegal remains unclear.

He said he believes there is no need for him to amend the law because
his bill only wants to "exempt" the 100 ha plantations from the
coverage of the law and legalize the use of marijuana for medical use.

"I just want an exemption for the exiting plantations. I don't want to
legalize the wanton use of marijuana. I want it legalized only for
medicinal purposes."

"We can also produce our own medical drug to be known worldwide as
coming from the Philippine marijuana," Chungalao beamed with pride.
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