Pubdate: Fri, 24 Dec 2004 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2004, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Larry Madarang Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) BENGUET BOARD AGAINST LEGALIZING MARIJUANA LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- Provincial Board have issued a resolution opposing the legalization of marijuana, which was proposed by Rep. Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao. The resolution was issued during the board's regular session over the week. The resolution's authors, Juan Nazarro and Alloysius Kato, said legalizing marijuana cultivation would not benefit the Cordillera region economically because there is no big market for the herb's medicinal use. Chungalao said he proposed the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use if the national government will not do anything to provide livelihood opportunities for the people living in the impoverished region. Revenue generated for cultivating marijuana, he added, would be used for improving roads and developing farms and irrigation facilities in the Cordillera region. The legalization of marijuana may be the last option left among the poverty stricken municipalities in the Cordillera if government's long neglect for their development remains, Chungalao said. However, Nazarro and Kato said "there are other factors that affect the Cordilleran farmer regarding his produce, such bad or the lack of roads, smuggling and excessive importation of foreign products, irrigation, high cost of farm implements and materials, lack of financial and technological assistance and support, all of which need the attention of the national government." "Addressing the problems and difficulties of farming and the farmer in the Cordillera should summon reciprocal effort and assistance between the local government units of the Cordilleras and the national government," they said. Kato said that the proposal of Chungalao is retrogressive. Kato said he was not aware of any pharmaceutical company needing marijuana as an ingredient for the medicines they are manufacturing in the country. "We would like to warn farmers that the cultivation of marijuana is still illegal. Tthe farmers may be thinking that it is now legal to plant the drug, and there might be misconceptions on Chungalao's bill," the provincial board members said. Both Chungalao and Kato belong to the Liberal Party. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency says the Cordillera region is the country's top supplier of marijuana, supplying almost 70 percent of the weed. - ---