Malacañang has reiterated that President Duterte is in favor of the use of marijuana if used to treat illnesses.
The statement came from Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, following the decision of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to reclassify or allow the usage of cannabidiol or CBD medicine with marijuana content for patients with epilepsy who have permission and have gone through the lawful process of acquiring the medicine.
“Sinabi niya na rin na kapag kailangang kailangan sa ikabubuhay ng isang tao at mayroong scientific findings or medical findings na pwede ýun, hindi siya (pangulo) kokontra. Siguro case to case,” Panelo said.
Panelo said the the campaign of the president against any type of illegal drugs remains strict, but may still vary especially for medical and humanitarian purposes.
The DDB has clarified that CBD is not actually cannabis, but a byproduct. They added that only Congress and the Chief Executive have the power to allow the medical and recreational use of marijuana in the country. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
