Medical marijuana access rules in Philippines ‘not compassionate,’ advocates say

This Jan. 24, 2019 photo shows marijuana for sale during a stop at a dispensary on a cannabis tour organized by LA-based Green Tours in Los Angeles, California.

AFP / Robyn Beck

MANILA, Philippines — Advocates for the legalization of medical marijuana lamented that current rules on the medicinal use of the plant classified as a dangerous drug were too stringent.

Current regulations allow the Food and Drug Administration to issue compassionate special permits to hospitals to avail of drugs, medical devices or food products which are not registered in the country, including processed medical cannabis.

But Donnabel Trias-Cunanan, president and spokesperson of pro-medical marijuana organization Cannahopefuls, told senators during a hearing on Wednesday that applying for this is too tedious and “not compassionate at all.”

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/07/2229211/medical-marijuana-access-rules-philippines-not-compassionate-advocates-say