Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jun 2014
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2014, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Jefferson Antiporda
Page: A2

'NATIONAL DISASTER' IF MARIJUANA IS LEGALIZED

A LAWMAKER has opposed a proposal to legalize marijuana use in the 
country, warning that the move could spell national disaster.

Sen. Vicente Sotto 3rd was reacting to the bill filed at the House of 
Representatives seeking to legalize marijuana use for medical 
purposes, with the proponents citing supposed studies abroad that 
tout marijuana's beneficial effects.

While the intention of the bill is to help those individuals with 
chronic or debilitating disease, Sotto on Sunday said the ones who 
would greatly benefit from the proposal are drug syndicates that are 
already making a killing from the sale of marijuana.

"The proposal to legalize marijuana is misleading, camouflaged under 
the term ' medical marijuana.' You do not declare a nuclear bomb 
legal just because a small component of the bomb can be used to light 
up your house," he noted, referring to House Bill 4477 or the 
Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Bill, filed by Rep. Rodolfo 
Albano 3rd of Isabela.

The senator insisted that if marijuana or "pot" was legalized, the 
government would inevitably promote its use especially among the 
young who may find that smoking pot is just as acceptable.

Based on the data from the Dangerous Drugs Board, marijuana has 
consistently been the second most commonly abused substance for the 
past several years next to shabu ( methamphetamine hydrochloride).

The Albano bill seeks to create a regulatory body under the 
Department of Health that will oversee the use of cannabis for 
medical purposes.

The move is gaining traction among lawmakers who are in favor of 
marijuana use for treatment of debilitating diseases.

"This is a big business for drug traffickers and, if we legalize 
marijuana, this will become a bigger business for them," Sotto said, 
cautioning that the move could spell national disaster.

Under Republic Act 9165, also known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 
2002, marijuana is classified as a dangerous drug. Its possession and 
use is punishable with 12 years' to life imprisonment, depending on 
the quantity of the drug.

In contradicting the supposed medicinal characteristics of cannabis, 
Sotto also cited a study conducted by the Office of National Drug 
Control Policy of the United States of America, which showed that 
marijuana contains Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that primarily affects 
the cannabinoid receptors in humans.

Many of these receptors are found in parts of the brain that 
influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time 
perception and coordinated movement.

Numerous studies show that THC's negative effects are shor tterm 
memory problems, distorted perception (sounds, sights, time, touch), 
hallucinations, delusions and reduced blood pressure.

Long-term use leads to addiction, sleeplessness, bad temper, anxiety, 
depression and schizophrenia.

Chronic use of THC leads to mental illness, vulnerability and 
exposure to violence, respiratory problems and impaired brain development.
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