Pubdate: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 Source: People's Journal (Philippines) Copyright: 2004 People's Journal Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381 Author: Alfred Dalizon Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) PRO-MARIJUANA TALK WORRIES PDEA WARY of an increase in the number of drug addicts which has been estimated at 3.4 million, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday said it is strongly against a proposal pending in Congress to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. "Although we respect the views of our congressmen, given the present situation, we are still not ready for such a proposal and we believe there is still a big need to thoroughly study such plan," said PDEA chairman Anselmo S. Avenido Jr. Avenido recommended that further studies be made of marijuana's medical benefits before Congress decides to make its use legal in the country. Experts have said that continuous use of the drug could lead to a variety of diseases, including cancer and emphysema, impotence, memory loss and abnormalities among babies born to women-users. The PDEA chief also warned that marijuana, whose scientific name is cannabis sativa, is even considered a "gateway" drug that leads users to try other illegal substances such as shabu, cocaine or heroin. "That's one bad aspect that we must consider, especially when we legalize marijuana as its users may graduate into a higher level of drug dependency particularly on shabu," he said. Next to shabu, marijuana remains a favorite in the Philippines where there are an estimated 1.8 million regular drug users and 1.6 million occasional users. Marijuana is most commonly grown in the cold mountains of Cordillera, Leyte, Cebu, Sulu, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. It currently fetches a minimum price of P2,000 a kilo compared to shabu which costs an average of P2 million a kilo or P2,000 a gram. Marijuana sticks are readily available in the local market for as low as P10 each. Last year, Avenido said PDEA agents uprooted and destroyed around P550 million worth of fully-grown marijuana plants and seedlings nationwide. PDEA spokesman Senior Supt. Bernardo F. Bondoc echoed Avenido's statement and said there is still no conclusive proof that marijuana has medicinal value. "It (marijuana) has been included in the United Nations' list of dangerous drugs up to now and we're conforming to the UN stand that it is harmful to health. In fact, so many Filipino drug addicts have gone nuts due to regular marijuana use before turning to shabu," Bondoc said. Given the propensity of Filipinos to "improvise," Bondoc said it is not a farfetched possibility that should marijuana become legal for medicinal use, addicts would find a way to fake doctors' prescriptions just to be able to buy the drug on a regular basis. "We fear that addiction to marijuana could further grow once marijuana use is legalized. It is still not the proper time for us to adopt a similar measure," he said. Avenido said that what is needed is the implementation of programs that would help alleviate the condition of poor farmers in marijuana-growing areas in the country, particularly Cordillera. "There should be substitute crops to help them feed their family and not resort to illegal marijuana cultivation," he said. Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, son of President Macapagal-Arroyo was reported to have backed a bill proposed by Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao legalizing marijuana on a limited aspect for the use of laboratories. Marijuana is legal in some parts of the United States and Europe where marijuana addicts could buy the drug and smoke it in some designated places without being arrested. - ---