The Legalization of Marijuana in The Philippines

THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE
PHILIPPINES:
[THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES:]
CHAPTER I:
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Introduction
Just because something is illegal does it necessarily mean that that certain something is
immoral or wrong? Marijuana, an herb that grows naturally is a plant that has been proven to
treat a certain number of diseases such as AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other
conditions is deemed to be illegal? Does self-control of individuals in not being able to control
its use be a critical ground regarding to its legalization? Tons of lives maybe saved but
disciplinary actions must be conducted by the human populace in order to stabilize the
continuous use of it as a medicine if it is to be part of the law of the land.
The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines supports the “Right of Life” stated in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 3 of the declaration states the “Everyone has the
right to life, liberty, and security of person”. Medical care is also one of the sub-topics stated in
the 25th Article in the International Human Rights Law which provides that:
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing
of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, and housing and medical care and
necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,
disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his
control.”
Countries such as Germany and Netherlands have legalized the use of medical marijuana
in a certain amount to be carried and must be proven to be of private use while in Uruguay as of
2013; President Jose Mujica has fully legalized the use of Medical Marijuana in the country.
Other countries have decriminalized the possession of Medical Marijuana as time goes by and
some countries just tolerate its possession. Countries are slowly evolving to its adaptation. An
example would be the 23 States that belong in the United States of America have now recognized
Medical Marijuana as a legal substance. These states are Colorado, Maryland, New York, and 20
other states that have issued its legalization but federal law has yet to consider it illegal.
One major factor would be the sworn statement of the practitioner who would likely be in
this circumstance to use medical marijuana for the patient’s own good. The Hippocratic Oath
which every medical practitioner should abide by states that: “I will use my power to help the
sick to the best of my ability and judgment”. This puts liability on the idea of assurance to the
patient in conducting every possible way of curing their illnesses.
Other factors such as the Catholic Church of the Philippines has granted the concept of
legalizing Medical Marijuana in the Philippines on the ground that it is part of “Catholic health
care ethics”. They tend to treat terminal cancer patients with medicinal marijuana as it has been
proved to be helpful and effective in the patient’s situation.
In the end it all winds down to how the general population will be able to control itself to
not abuse this substance when there comes a time when it is to be considered legal. The use of
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this will help millions, but these millions will have a counter-part of another million to which it
abuses the effects of medicinal marijuana as long as it gets in their hands. Its possession should
be tolerated because this drug might be the answer to everything in the medical field in curing
other terminal Illnesses.
House Bill No.4477 also known as the “Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Bill is now
in motion as of May 26, 2014. Now supported by advocates and societies around the Philippines,
this act is no causing turmoil in the media and this is the way of legalizing the act to which the
study will onwards.
I. Statement of the Problem
The main problem of this study is the dispute between making use of medical marijuana and
laws regarding the use of marijuana as an illegal drug. The researchers aim to answer question
such as:
1. Whether or not the law should legalize the use of medical marijuana.
2. Whether or not the legalization of marijuana can lead to multiple methods in curing
various chronic diseases and other similar illnesses.
II. Significance of the study
This is conducted as a study that may prove to be beneficial to those who are actually in need
of this drug as a medicine and not just any drug that is used for other non-medicinal purposes.
Furthermore, this is conducted as a study that may enhance people’s knowledge about Marijuana,
not only as a habitual, addictive and dangerous plant, but also as a plant with far more effects and
even benefits to anyone who is in need of it as a cure for certain illnesses. It cannot be denied
that Marijuana is looked down upon in our society. It is deemed a dangerous substance that is
used solely for the same reason as drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and the like,
but this research will be of great relevance in connection with this in order to broaden knowledge
about this drug with regard to its other un-popularly known positive effects. Also to differentiate
the effects of its usage from the effects of the usage of other prohibited drugs such as those
mentioned above.
This study will be essential in knowing the perception of people about the legalization of
Marijuana and how this perception would change upon being informed about its proven
medicinal effects and not just its downsides. Furthermore, this is also conducted to know the
factors and reasons that continue to serve as a prevention to the legalization of this drug, and the
factors that are present, but unknown to most, which could be used in paving the way to its
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legalization. It is essential, not just in this topic, but in all things that people know each aspect
and each factor to be considered before deeming it either legal and moral or illegal and immoral.
The study proves to be critical in achieving this with regard to the legalization of Marijuana, it
being a drug with multiple medicinal benefits.
The intended readers of this study, especially those who have no concrete knowledge
regarding the law will have more awareness as to the topic of Marijuana. Why it is illegal, and
why it has been argued and continues to be argued for in order to have the potential of becoming
legal. This study is crucial in carefully scrutinizing the reasons as to why Marijuana is not
allowed to be used as a medicine when it is clearly stated in the Constitution and other laws, that
people should have the right to life and to receive proper care for the betterment of their health.
It is important to broaden the knowledge of people regarding this topic and not just narrow it
down to the reasons as to why it should not be legal. This study will serve to counter that idea
and assist people in knowing about the huge role that it could play and the importance that it
could serve as an innovative primary cure to illnesses in need of attention.
III. Scope and Limitations
The scope of this study will benefit those who are in need and are searching for other
prescriptions and alternative medicine for their ailments. It will also be for those government
officials who are taking into consideration the legalization of medical marijuana. In addition to
this, it will serve for the benefit of the whole community with regard to the information that will
be provided.
The study will be organized in Ilocos Norte particularly in the San Nicolas district who are
students of the city and the knowledge that already exists in the libraries and internet as primary
sources. Secondary sources however will be taken from other forms of literature that cannot be
accessible here in the Philippines such as international studies and conventions connected to the
topic at hand. Recorded cases and incidents that are related to the topic will also be gathered
from various locations for reasons of the lack of knowledge of the country about the drug.
The study will focus on the positive and negative effects of medical Marijuana and the
consciousness of the people whether they agree or disagree on the legalization of medical
marijuana upon being informed of its various effects. The gathered information will be kept
confidential by the researchers for purposes of privacy and for public reputation due to the
notoriousness of the idea of the usage or information of the drug.
This study will also be limited to Medical Marijuana only. Other drugs contained inside
the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165) will not be entertained by the researchers.
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IV. Definition of Terms
Addiction
- The inability to consistently abstain and impairment in behavioral control to a certain

drug. It is a primary and chronic disease to the human brain in not being able to control
the needs to oneself.
Cannabis
- Refers to every kind, class, genus, specie of the plant Cannabis sativa L., Cannabis
Americana, hashish, bhang, guaza, churrus, ganjab and embraces every kind, class and
character of marijuana, whether dried or fresh and flowering, flowering or fruiting tops,
or any part or portion of the plant and seeds thereof, and all its geographic varieties,
whether as a reefer, resin, extract, tincture or in any form whatsoever.
Dangerous Drugs
- Include those listed in the Schedules annexed to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and in the Schedules annexed to the 1971
Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances as enumerated in the attached annex
which is an integral part of this Act. These include: methamphetamine hydrochloride,
opium cocaine,heroin, marijuana and the like.
Hippocratic Oath
- This is the Oath made by every physician who has entered the practice of medicine. It
signifies their responsibilities and duties as a doctor or physician to abide by the rule to
do anything in their power to cure the patient.
House Bill 4477
- The Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Bill, passed by Isabel 1st district
representative Rodolfo Albano III. This is the pending bill that seeks to legalize the use of
medical marijuana in the Philippines.
Legalization
- The way of putting it as part of the law of the land.
Medical Marijuana
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- The use of marijuana through the purposes of medicine. This substance aims to cure the
patient’s illnesses only. These substances are controlled and limited to the public and only
people who are in dire need of this as an alternative method of remedy.
Medical Purpose
- Specifically signifies the use of a certain substance for it to reach an end that is related to
the medical field.
Prescription Drugs
- Drugs that can be accessed legally by any person that has a recommendation from their
respective physicians or medical practitioner. The physicians have to be considered
experts in their field in order to suggest a drug that may help the illness of the patient.
RA 9165
- The Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, this act defines and discusses drugs that are considered
illegal here in the Philippines. Penalties and classifications for possession and use certain
drugs are also contained here.
CHAPTER II:
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES
1. Hippocratic Oath
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There is one oath that is being followed by every medical practitioner to base their duties
and obligations to their patients. This Oath is called the Hippocratic Oath, named after the Father
of Medicine, Hippocrates from Greece which is still being held by physicians.
There have been multiple revisions of this Oath but all of them lead to one interest; it is to
treat a patient with the best of the physician’s abilities and knowledge.
Under the Oath, the physician is promised “to continue with diligence in keeping abreast
with the advancement of medicine”, be that as it may, whenever there is a possible cure that may
be discovered through the source of anything, the physician has to use this.
We put this in the perspective of medical marijuana to try and follow its methods of
treating the patient itself. In this case, we can ensure that medical marijuana can be one of the
possibilities to be this cure and therefore has to be an option when all else fails.
The Oath also contains a statement mentioning “I will follow that method of treatment
which according to my ability and judgment I consider for the benefit of my patient and abstain
from whatever is harmful or mischievous.” In this we can assume that in relation to medical
marijuana, we can put it in the methods of treatment. There are many cases to which medical
marijuana has helped lots of people in curing their own diseases.
One famous case is the case of Charlotte Figi, daughter of Matt and Paige Figi. Charlotte
was born on October 18, 2006. She was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome. A rare severe form of
intractable epilepsy, this means that the seizures are uncontrollable even with medication. It’s
usually starts after a child has reached the age of 1.
She was taking seven drugs to help with her illness but it was for naught. Her parents
brought her to Chicago to see a Dravet specialist who prescribed her a diet. Matt and Paige then
found another treatment for this syndrome, the use of medical marijuana which worked for a boy
in California.
They tried to get hold of medical marijuana through Dr. Alan Shackelford and Dr.
Margaret Gedde who had numerous cases of medical marijuana patients. These were the doctors
that signed the papers for proper and legal use to Charlotte.
Seeing that this was the only medication that could work, the doctors prescribed in the
papers that “they had exhausted all of her treatment options. They really weren’t any steps they
could take beyond what they had done. Everything had been tried-except cannabis”. The
medication worked for Charlotte.
This case promoted the stipulation contained in the Oath that every physician follows
through the use of medical marijuana; they had the chance to exercise their right to everything in
their power to cure the patient in a manner that is considered illegal to all.
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Another case is from here in the Philippines; the case of Moon Jaden Yutuc, daughter of
Myca and Jun Yutuc. She was born this January 9, 2012 and died on September 19, 2013 due to
Dravet Syndrome, the same as Charlotte Paige. Due to the unknown knowledge to access
medical marijuana in our country, they were forced to look in the underground market but the
farm of medical marijuana was destroyed due to a typhoon that was present in the country. Time
was their enemy, Moon Jaden died before her father Jun could get hold of medical marijuana.
Marijuana was still illegal in the Philippines and through that, the parents of Moon Jaden
were not prescribed this medication even though it may improve the status of the child. Republic
Act No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is the legal basis of this. Although Assistant
Health Secretary of the Department of Health in the Philippines Eric Tayag explained to Moon
Jaden’s parent that they could access medical marijuana but were not explained to doctors this
exemption by the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB).
Philippine Medical Association President Oscar Tinio denies any information

disseminated to them about this matter. PMA Chief Olarte also states that the Dangerous Drug
Board has no right to grant the exemption to the Department of Health. This puts the physicians
in a tight position to either prescribe the use of medical marijuana to the patients even though it
will be the last resort. Everybody is liable to follow the law; thus resulting in force use with strict
prohibitions regarding the R.A. 9165 and non-compliance with their Oath.
The last case that is in relation is the approval of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie of
the act “Pot for Tots” in promulgating the use medical marijuana to sick children that is in need
of its benefits. The main ignition for the bill was the public confrontation of a man named Brian
Wilson who was a resident of New Jersey. Brian had a two-year old daughter Vivian Wilson
diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome.
Governor Christie approved the bill with lots of requirements such as the presence of two
doctors and a pediatrician with actual knowledge of the drug itself in order for the maintenance
and analysis of the patient’s status and their medical outputs on medical marijuana.
The doctors here that will treat Vivian Wilson will have to opportunity to use medical
marijuana freely and comply with their duties and responsibilities as a doctor due to the fact that
in New Jersey, the Medical Marijuana bill was approved. The fear of doing something illegal but
would clear a patient of his or her illness was within their grasp.
So know we raise an issue regarding the Oath itself, if the main goal of the physician or
medical practitioner is to do what is best for the patient; then why do we have a conflicting idea
about it with the law? We can say that this drug is considered to have a bad reputation due to the
people that use it and their actions, us researchers try to look at it in another perspective.
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The reason for the legalization of marijuana is to free the medical practitioners from
doing the things that they want need to do to their patients. This frees their will in doing
something that they think that will make criminalize them.
If you put yourself in their own shoes and you know that this particular drug can be a
source for their escape of prolonging suffering, should you be called a criminal for doing that act
and be charged with a fine and life imprisonment? We think otherwise.
2. Medical Ethics
It is stated in a part of the Hippocratic Oath that:
To reckon all who have taught me this art equally dear to
me as my parents and in the same spirit and dedication
to impart knowledge of the art of medicine to others. I
will continue with diligence to keep abreast of advances
in medicine. I will treat without exception all who seek
my ministrations, so long as the treatment of others is
not compromised thereby, and I will seek the counsel of
particularly skilled physicians where indicated for the
Benefit of my patient.
In their mode of ethics, it can be seen that the practitioners that will be conducting this
Oath will be subjected to reliance of knowledge in other experts in their fields. They will use
information and experiences by skilled and veteran physicians in regards to what they will be
doing.
According to the Oath, these licensed practitioners will have to obey the laws, legal order
and decree promulgated by the Republic of the Philippines. The Code of being a medical
practitioner is limited to the law itself since there are some medical duties that cannot be
understood in the perspective of the law-makers but the medical practitioners only.
This Oath however is backed up by the 1987 Constitution itself and therefore cannot be
surpassed by mere acts heroic in trying to save a person’s life. A medical practitioner has no
choice but to relieve the patient for his suffering if he wishes as it’s his or her right under the
right to life contained in our supreme law of the land.
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According to these, the physician has many obligations to the patient to do anything that
may be in connection to their hopeful recovery. This is part of the law which the medical
practitioner is bound to follow and to not exercise their liberal freedom in regards to their
respective professions. In this matter we can conclude that the rights and duties of the
practitioners in their mode of dealing with patients is locked by the law itself and therefore they
have no right to exercise in their own experimental way in dealing with human life.
If a medical practitioner however was to make a mistake and is made liable for the acts
done by him by not dealing with the mode of dealing with the patients; these are the following
liabilities that may be incurred by them:
Classifications of medical professional liability — all medical professional liability

claims fall into one of three classifications: malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance
1. Feasance simply mean “performance” or the doing of an act.

2. Malfeasance — the performing of an act that is wholly wrongful and unlawful
(e.g. a physician who performs an unnecessary operation)
3. Misfeasance is the improper performance of some lawful act (e.g. a physician
who performs an operation carelessly or contrary to accepted standards)
4. Nonfeasance is the failure to do something that should have been done (e.g. a
physician who fails to render care that should have been given)
However, according to Bellosillo, there is one more classification; it is the inability to do

something that should’ve been done. Just like in a medical marijuana case, if the physician is
unable to use it as a cure to help a patient, he is charged of not doing all means necessary to cure
the patient from his suffering. If the physician does use it, and it does not work it still is a
violation of gross negligence on the part of the physician and thus may give rise to a law-suit.
This may also invoke and suspend the license of the practitioner which is contained
in Section 24 of the Medical Act of 1959 which includes the following grounds:
Section 24. Grounds for reprimand, suspension or revocation of registration

certificate. Any of the following shall be sufficient ground for reprimanding a physician, or
for suspending or revoking a certificate of registration as physician:
1. Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving

moral turpitude;
2. Immoral or dis-honorable conduct;
3. Insanity;
4. Fraud in the acquisition of the certificate of registration;
5. Gross negligence, ignorance or incompetence in the practice of his or her
profession resulting in an injury to or death of the patient;
6. Addiction to alcoholic beverages or to any habit forming drug rendering him or
her incompetent to practice his or her profession, or to any form of gambling;
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7. False or extravagant or unethical advertisements wherein other things than his

name, profession, limitation of practice, clinic hours, office and home address,
are mentioned.
8. Performance of or aiding in any criminal abortion;
9. Knowingly issuing any false medical certificate;
10. Issuing any statement or spreading any news or rumors which are derogatory to
the character and reputation of another physician without justifiable motive;
11. Aiding or acting as a dummy of an unqualified or unregistered person to
practice medicine;
12. Violation of any provision of the Code of Ethics as approved by the Philippine
Medical Association. Refusal of a physician to attend a patient in danger of death
is not a sufficient ground for revocation or suspension of his registration
certificate if there is a risk to the physician's life.
In relation to this, once these have been violated, it also violates the Code of Ethics of the
Philippine Medical Association which is in general a violation of a Medical Ethics for the part of
the physician him or herself.
The ethics of the modern physician to with regards to his profession is means for the
mode of conduct that he or she is acting upon, becoming part of his or her character. There are
certain factors and issues that run through the mind of the physician when it comes to performing
certain acts about their patient's well-being.
Getting the facts straight to a proper act must be done properly. Thinking about the pros
and cons are the first step to it. Analyze and weigh out for you to be able to feel the right thing to
do in cases like treating the patient with medical marijuana in our study.
This acts as the means in order for you to follow not just Medical Ethics but to be able to
comply with Human Ethics. As a fellow human you know the ups and downs and you are limited
to what you can contribute to the life that you have been given to take care of.
Through legalization of medical marijuana, the physician can now be able to broaden its
view in the world of medical ethics and to do such acts without a boggle in their mind of
illegality of the substance.
3. Republic Act 9165 or Dangerous Drug Act of 2002
Republic Act No. 9165 also known as “An act instituting the Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002, repealing Republic Act No. 6425, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs
Act of 1972, as amended, providing funds therefore, and for other purposes” includes the list of
prohibited drugs in the Philippines.
Section 2 of Republic Act 9165 also known as the Comprehensive
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Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 states:
Section 2- Declaration of Policy
– It is the policy of the State to safeguard the integrity of its territory and the well-being of
its citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their
physical and mental well-being, and to defend the same against acts or omissions
detrimental to their development and preservation. In view of the foregoing, the State
needs to enhance further the efficacy of the law against dangerous drugs, it being one of
today's more serious social ills.
Toward this end, the government shall pursue an intensive and unrelenting campaign
against the trafficking and use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances through an
integrated system of planning, implementation and enforcement of anti-drug abuse policies,
programs, and projects. The government shall however aim to achieve a balance in the national
drug control program so that people with legitimate medical needs are not prevented from being
treated with adequate amounts of appropriate medications, which include the use of dangerous
drugs. It is further declared the policy of the State to provide effective mechanisms or measures
to re-integrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse or dangerous drug
dependence through sustainable programs of treatment and rehabilitation.
Under our National law, dangerous drugs are deemed and seen as a threat to the security
and safety of our State and its people. They are seen as harmful substances that would prove to
be of no benefit to anyone. Hence, the construction and formulation of this provision is for the
sole purpose of helping the government in its duty to maintain and regulate the peace and order
of its territory. This includes the welfare of our community, and most especially with regard to
the youth.
These substances, so-called dangerous drugs, have been stereotyped and commonly
known to cause psychological and physical damage to all of its users. Somehow, people have
only been provided information on their negative sides, but some of these drugs’ other side
always seems to be left out and remain unknown to common awareness.
‘Dangerous Drugs’ is defined under Republic Act 9165 as:
Dangerous Drugs. – Include those listed in the Schedules annexed to the 1961 Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and in the Schedules
annexed to the 1971 Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances as enumerated in the
attached annex which is an integral part of this Act.
These include opium, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu", and

other drugs that have been proven to have very negative effects and are extremely detrimental to
a person’s health. The dangerous drugs in consistence with this law are derived from a
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convention under the United Nations wherein the Philippines is one of its signatories. However,
this convention does not close its doors to any possible chances where one of these drugs may be
utilized positively and used for purposes that may prove to be helpful and beneficial to a person.
This aspect and perspective in looking at the concept of these possible helpful drugs will be
discussed in the next subsections provided herein. One of these drugs is cannabis or more
popularly known as marijuana. This drug is defined under Republic Act 9165 as:
Cannabis or commonly known as "Marijuana" or "Indian Hemp" or by its any

other name. – Embraces every kind, class, genus, or specie of the plant Cannabis sativa
including, but not limited to, Cannabis americana,hashish, bhang, guaza, churrus and
ganjab, and embraces every kind, class and character of marijuana, whether dried or fresh
and flowering, flowering or fruiting tops, or any part or portion of the plant and seeds
thereof, and all its geographic varieties, whether as a reefer, resin, extract, tincture or in
any form whatsoever.
Also provided in this provision are the penalties and strict punishments that may be
imposed on a person if he is caught in possession or use of Cannabis. A portion under Section 11
of Republic Act 9165 states that:
Section 11. Possession of Dangerous Drugs – The penalty of life imprisonment to

death and a fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million
pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law,
shall possess any dangerous drug in the following quantities, regardless of the degree of
purity thereof: (6) 10 grams or more of marijuana resin or marijuana resin oil; (7) 500
grams or more of marijuana; and without having any therapeutic value or if the quantity
possessed is far beyond therapeutic requirements; or less than three hundred (300) grams
of marijuana
It is clearly elaborated here that the Philippine government strictly stands against the idea
of any usage regarding this matter. It is evident that the government gives an astoundingly high
penalty and extremely grave punishment with regards to this, resulting to its strict prohibition.
This is also exhibited in the case of People vs. Policarpio, G. R. No. 69844, February
23, 1988 wherein the Supreme Court stated that:
“Drug addiction is one of the most pernicious evils that have ever crept into our
society. More often than not it is he young who constitute the greater majority of the
citizenry who are the victims. It is of common knowledge that drug addicts become useless
if not dangerous members of society and in some instances turn up to be among the living
dead. This is the reason why the courts and law enforcement agencies should continue in
their relentless campaign not merely to minimize but to totally eradicate the evil before it is
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too late. And everyone must be involved in this drive if we are to succeed. The peddlers of
drugs are actually agents of destruction. They deserve no less than the maximum penalty.”
It clearly shows here that our government aims to completely eradicate all traces and
hints of any sort of dangerous drug, no matter their effect and the situation and matter in which
they are being used for. They even resulted to the dealing of the highest penalty that could be
given because of these dangerous drugs. It has long been established that Marijuana has been
prohibited because of fear that it is a possible threat to a person’s life, security, and the state’s
peacefulness. Nonetheless, given a situation wherein a physician suddenly decides to use it in
order to cure a patient who is in a fatal and critical condition and is in immediate need of the
drug; will the doctor be held liable and punished for his actions? Or would his decision to use
marijuana be justified because it was able to save the life of a patient? Although it cannot be
denied that he may create a proposition for the use of this drug, since it is provided for and
supported in the aforementioned Section 2 of Republic Act 9165. It was stated that it is the
government’s duty to create “balance in the national drug control program so that people with
legitimate medical needs are not prevented from being treated with adequate amounts of
appropriate medication…” Even so, before anyone could possibly gain access and possession of
a prohibited drug, one must first file certain requirements and then get a certification for it that
would allow its use. Again, what if the condition of the patient was critical and between life and
death? And only the immediate use of Marijuana could save him? A doctor would still be held
liable for the use of marijuana without any papers even if it was for a positive purpose and for
medical reasons. But shouldn’t the preservation of one’s life, and the bestowal of his right to live,
be enough reason to legalize the use of medical marijuana? If no person shall be deprived of life,
then a person who is in immediate need of marijuana should be allowed its instantaneous access
without any delay.
4. House Bill No. 4477 or Compassionate Use of Medical
Marijuana Bill
House Bill 4477 also known as the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Bill is a bill
that seeks to legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis in compliance with government
policy to balance its national drug control program and the regulated use of dangerous drugs for
treatment and medication of patients with debilitating medical conditions.
It is stated in Section 3 of the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Bill that:
Debilitating medical condition means one or more of the following: cancer, glaucoma,
epilepsy, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency
syndrome, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, agitation of
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Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia/wasting syndrome, muscular dystrophy, severe fibromyalgia,

spinal cord disease, including but not limited to arachnoiditis, Tarlov cysts, hydromyelia,
syringomyelia, Rheumatoid arthritis, fibrous dysplasia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain
injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Arnold-Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia, Spinocerebellar
Atxia (SCA), Parkingson’s, Tourette’s, Myoclonus, Dystonia, Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy, RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type I), Causalgia, CRPS (Complex
Regional Pain Syndromes Type I), Causalgia, CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
Type II), Neurofibromatosis, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy,
Sjogren’s syndrome, Lupus, Interstitial Cystitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Hydrocephalus, nail-
patella syndrome, residual limb pain, or the treatment that is added by the Medical
Cannabis Regulatory Authority as recommended by a panel of doctors constituted for this
purpose.
Furthermore, the bill states that cannabis "has been confirmed to have beneficial and
therapeutic uses to treat chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition” that produces some
of the aforementioned diseases.
The bill aims to provide a means in which marijuana may be used in a controllable way
that would possibly prove to be beneficial and non-hazardous to the community. Section 2 of this
bill provides that:
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to provide measures to

achieve a balance in the national drug control program so that patients with debilitating
medical condition may receive adequate amount of treatment and appropriate medications
from the regulated use of dangerous drugs.
Toward this end, the State shall legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis which
has been confirmed to have beneficial and therapeutic uses to treat chronic or debilitating disease
or medical condition that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome;
severe and chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic
of epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated
with multiple sclerosis.
It is clearly seen here that there are ways in which marijuana may be used through
harmless means with medical and beneficial purposes. This bill provides a possible answer to the
gray area that lies between the legalization and criminalization of cannabis or marijuana. As this
bill aims to both regulate its use, and still have authority over its circulation it leads to a probable
consideration on the legalization of marijuana as to why it should be legalized, and how it can be
controlled. This said control over its regulation and having authority over it can be seen in the
following provisions of the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Bill wherein it is provided
that:
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SEC. 4. Medical Cannabis Regulatory Authority.
- There shall be established under the Department of Health (DOH), a Medical Cannabis
Regulatory Authority, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, which shall regulate the
medical use of cannabis in the country.
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions.
- The Authority shall have the following powers and functions:

a) Approve the recommendation made by the certifying doctor who has a bona fide
relationship with the patient that, after completing a medical assessment of the
patient’s medical history and current medical condition, including an appropriate
personal physical examination, in his professional medical opinion, a patient is
suffering from a debilitating medical condition, and is likely to receive therapeutic or
palliative benefit from the medical use of cannabis.
b) Issue registry identification cards to patients and caregivers who are qualified or
allowed to use and administer cannabis upon qualification and submission of the
requirements set by the Authority;
c) Evaluate applications for registration and issuance of certification as Medical
Cannabis Compassionate Center or Medical Cannabis Safety Compliance Facility
based on the safety and regulatory requirements set by the Authority;
d) Establish rules and regulations for the issuance of safety compliance and registration
certificates;
e) Suspend or revoke the registration certificate of Medical Cannabis Compassionate
Centers or Medical Cannabis Safety Compliance Facilities or order their closure for
multiple or serious violation by the registrants or any of their agents of nay rule
promulgated by the Authority;
f) Confiscate cannabis and its paraphernalia in the possession of any person who is
committing or has committed a violation of this Act; and
g) Intensify research that may result in improved understanding of cannabis treatment
for diseases and other adverse health conditions.
SEC. 6. Director-General.
- The Authority shall be headed by a Director-General who shall be appointed by the

President of the Philippines from the list of specialist physicians recommended by the
Secretary of Health. The Director-General shall have a university degree in medicine
and/or a post-graduate degree in organic chemistry and must have completed an
executive course in any regulatory management. The DirectorGeneral shall have the
brand of Undersecretary.
The bill also provides safety measures and qualifications for the usage of marijuana that may
possibly be effective in helping with the health of our community. It also provides the
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persons who may be exempt from any civil and criminal liability upon usage of cannabis in
certain situations. There are also steps provided in its easy access prescriptions to ensure that
it will not be abused by those who are not really in need, but at the same time, it can be
accessed to those who are really in need of it for their conditions or sicknesses.
The Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Bill also establishes verifications and registry
in order to claim the legal use of marijuana. This, along with its additional provisions on its
certain prohibitions and restrictions with regard to certain acts, may allow a harmony in its
factors on why it should be illegal yet strictly regulated. These prohibited acts along with
their corresponding penalties and punishments are stated in Section 25 and Section 26 of this
bill wherein it is provided that:
SEC. 25. Prohibited Acts.
- It shall be prohibited for:

a. A qualifying patient to:
1. Possess and smoke cannabis and engage in the medical use of cannabis in any mode of
public transportation or in any public place;
2. Operate, navigate, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or
motorboat while under the influence of cannabis: Provided, That a registered qualifying
patient or visiting qualifying patient shall not be considered to be under the influence of
cannabis solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of cannabis to
cause impairment.
3. Undertake under the influence of cannabis, task that would require the use of body or
motor functions impaired by the use of cannabis; and
4. Use cannabis for purposes other than treatment of a debilitating medical condition;
b. An authorized physician to prescribe medical cannabis to any person without establishing
a bona fide relationship with the patient and to refer patients or caregivers to a MCCC on
which the physician holds any financial interest;
c. A registered MCCC (Medical Cannabis Compassionate Center) to:
1. Acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense
cannabis to any person except to registered qualified patients or through their registered
caregivers; and
2. Acquire usable cannabis or mature cannabis plants from unregistered MCCC
3. Refer patients to an authorized physician
d. Any person to:
1. Advertise medical cannabis sales in printed materials, on radio or television, social
media, or by paid-in-person solicitation of customers. This shall not prevent
appropriate signs on the property of the registered MCCC, listings in business
directories including phone books, listing in cannabis-related or medical publications,
or the sponsorship of health or charity or advocacy events;
SEC. 26. Penalty.
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- Any person or entity who violates Section 24 of this Act shall be punished with a fine of
one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and revocation of the license or registration
certificates to use, possess or sell cannabis for medical purposes under this Act.
Any person who violates confidentiality under Section 21 of this Act shall be punished with a
fine of not less than ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00).
If the offender is a physician the penalty shall include revocation of professional license. The
suspension or revocation of registration certificate is a final action of the Authority. The
Authority shall constitute a committee that will review documents and evidence of the case
and shall recommend action to be taken by the Director-General.
This bill is dedicated to those who are truly in need of it and those who have conditions
which cannot be cured through any other means. It also deems marijuana to have certain curing
effects that cannot be found in other medicine. Hence, as Isabela 1st District Representative
Rodolfo Albano III claims that:
“The bill intends "to provide accessible, affordable, safe medical cannabis to qualifying
patients.”
5. Medical Act of 1959
The Medical Act of 1959 or Republic Act No. 2382 is an act that supervises the practice of
medicine in the country. This act also regulates the medical education, and examination for
registration of physicians. In Section 6 of this act, a medical student is required to take a subject
of “Legal Medicine, including Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics
Section 6. Minimum required courses. Students seeking admission to the medical course
must have a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. The medical course shall be at least
five years, including not less than eleven rotating internship in an approved hospital, and shall
consist of the following subjects.
 Anatomy Biochemistry and Nutrition Microbiology

 Physiology Pharmacology Parasitology
 Medicine and Therapeutics Genecology Pediatrics
 Obstetrics Surgery Preventive Medicine and Public Health
 Legal Medicine, including Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics
Provided, that the Board is hereby authorized to modify or add to the subjects listed above as
the needs and demands of progress in the medical profession may require.
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Medical Jurisprudence is defined as the branch of science and medicine involving the study
of scientific and medical knowledge to legal problems. It is also involved with medical, legal,
and ethical issues.
This means that before the student becomes a professional, he/she must know first the rights,
duties and obligations under the law of medicine.
After the student achieves the degree of Doctor of Medicine, he must pass the board
examination in order to become a medical practitioner.
A medical practitioner is defined as one who is lawfully engaged in the practice of medicine.
He/she has a right to prescribe any dangerous or poisonous drugs in the good faith of patient
while treating his patient.
6. The 1987 Philippine Constitution
The Constitution is the law of the land and everyone must follow it. A licensed
practitioner is also a citizen of a state and therefore he/she must also obey the law. As stated in
the Section 3 of the Civil Code of the Philippines state that: “Article 3. Ignorance of the law
excuses no one from compliance therewith.” The privilege of being a licensed practitioner may
be taken away when one disobeys the Section 24 of the Medical Act which states:
“Section 24. Grounds for reprimand, suspension or revocation of registration

certificate. Any of the following shall be sufficient ground for reprimanding a physician, or
for suspending or revoking a certificate of registration as physician:
1. Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving

moral turpitude;
2. Immoral or dishonorable conduct;
3. Insanity;
4. Fraud in the acquisition of the certificate of registration;
5. Gross negligence, ignorance or incompetence in the practice of his or her
profession resulting in an injury to or death of the patient;
6. Addiction to alcoholic beverages or to any habit forming drug rendering him or
her incompetent to practice his or her profession, or to any form of gambling.
7. False or extravagant or unethical advertisements wherein other things than his
name, profession, limitation of practice, clinic hours, office and home address,
are mentioned.
8. Performance of or aiding in any criminal abortion;
9. Knowingly issuing any false medical certificate;
10. Issuing any statement or spreading any news or rumor which is derogatory to
the character and reputation of another physician without justifiable motive;
11. Aiding or acting as a dummy of an unqualified or unregistered person to
practice medicine;
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12. Violation of any provision of the Code of Ethics as approved by the Philippine
Medical Association.
Refusal of a physician to attend a patient in danger of death is not sufficient ground for
revocation or suspension of his registration certificate if there is a risk to the physician's life.”
These provisions embrace one of the issues that encouraged the proponents to study:
what if the doctor will not use marijuana to treat his patient because the drug is illegal here in the
Philippines.
7. United Nations Declaration of Human Rights
This is self-explanatory in its meaning that we all have the right to life, and to live in
freedom and safety. The United Nations’ actions and decisions are founded on these principles.
They serve as the backbone and basis of how each individual is free and have rights that he
should be able enjoy up to its full extent. Our country being one of the active members of the
United Nation, and a signatory to the United Nations Charter, it is only imperative that we abide
by each of the UN’s principles and uphold each of its concepts.
To say that each and every one of us has the right to life, it should go without saying that
this should also come with being given the proper cure and medicine for the benefit of our health
and the betterment of sicknesses that we may acquire. If one’s life were to be in peril due to an
illness that only cannabis can cure, then cannabis should be immediately provided in order to
ensure our life and security by all such means. It is a proven fact that cannabis has been known to
cure certain illnesses with great affectivity. In addition to this, not only would it be incredibly
affordable, but it would be easy to gain too. That is if it is legal. One should not be deprived of
the necessary medicine in order to secure his own welfare.
Furthermore, if marijuana was legal, it has a high possibility that it could be provided for
a very cheap and affordable price. Many unfortunate people cannot come up with ways to cure a
member’s chronic illness or debilitating medical condition simply because they do not have
enough money that is needed in order for them to be able to provide the proper medicine.
Thousands die each year because of the lack of money resulting to the inability of buying proper
medicine. If there is a hint of possibility that a cheaper, more accessible alternative can be used
for the same beneficial effects, then why should it be made illegal and immoral?
If life, liberty, and security are the main reason for having laws, then assurance of proper
care along with the proper medicine should be consistent with it. Cannabis has been proven to
cure such debilitating medical conditions under the right circumstances, so if it could serve as a
much cheaper alternative to other medicines that are difficult to get hold of, then it should just be
regulated like any other medicine. Why should its proven positive effects be kept from the public
if these effects, in a way, could possibly secure a person’s right to life and welfare?
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8. Synthesis of review of Related Literature
The Synthesis will include a summary of all the literatures reviewed. Also, it will serve as a
basis with regard to the relation and connection of this to the studies included in this chapter to
the study that we have conducted. The laws, bills, and researches that we have used in this
chapter aim to support our own study and provide it with a foundation.
The Hippocratic Oath by the philosopher Hippocrates explains the responsibilities and duties
of the medical practitioner or doctor. This Oath is what doctor’s take before being able to
practice medicine and thus this is their main source of reference when dealing with their patients.
Medical marijuana although is considered illegal, is a vital substance that is used to cure chronic
illnesses. We cannot deny this fact as doctors and researchers all around the world have tested
and prescribed these drugs to many. Those are the doctors that follow this Oath; they will use
everything in their power and resources to remedy the patient no matter what the circumstances
they may be in. Through legalization, we can follow and abide by the Oath so the medical and
legal factors may not arise in conflict with each other.
Medical Ethics as understood by the common-people is that the ethics by which medical
practitioners follow in dealing with their patients as it is seen by the community. We look at this
as a general point of view by the public all around the world that thinking like an ethical doctor
will give patients comfort and certainty about their stay in their care. The substance we are trying
to use may not be seen by the other people as a mode of ethics but as an immoral doing.
Marijuana has given the bad impression due to its history and its classification as a drug but we
researchers try to look at the point of view in which what would it take for the doctor to cure the
illness? Is it reasonable to do something considered un-ethical by the public and to let the patient
die? We try to prove that this drug should be considered ethical.
In relation to our study, we made mention of Republic Act 9165 also known as Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002. By elaborating on this act, we seek to inform people on how the government
deems and considers drug which are dangerous and those which are less dangerous. Because of
this, we can somehow create an illustration to further explain to the public the distinctions and
differences between every drug and each of their corresponding side effects. Also, one of our
main objectives was to distinguish marijuana from the rest of these much more harmful drugs
and explain how it is different. This is to raise awareness that drugs should not be stereotyped
and generalized because they all have their own effects and properties.
We also used House Bill 4477 or the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Bill. This is a
pending bill that aims to legalize the use of medical marijuana in the Philippines. We related this
to our study in order to exhibit the possibilities of the legalization of marijuana in our society.
With regard to this, we also aim to see why marijuana should be legalized and regulated or why
it shouldn’t as it is stated in this bill. This bill serves as a pillar of foundation for any potential
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legalization of medical marijuana in our country. The focus of our study is this exactly so without
a doubt, we can completely use this bill as a basis relating to our research.
The researchers used the Medical Act of 1959 as well to discuss that even the students of
medicine must also study particular practices in order to become a professional, and that they
need to know the rules in concerns of the prohibition and prescription of certain drugs.
Marijuana, as an illegal drug, is now being used by some doctors to treat their patients to cure or
to lessen their disease. In this Act, the researchers can somehow perceive the side of the doctors
in knowing the rights, duties and obligations of the law of medicine. This can help the
researchers to know whether marijuana can really be legally used in curing certain illnesses.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution was also a basis in this study. A part of the constitution
discusses about the medical practitioner's consequences when he/she disobeys the law. Basically,
medical practitioners are also citizens of the Philippines, and they too must obey the law. With
this, people cannot argue with the medical practitioners on why they somehow do not prescribe
marijuana here in the Philippines.
The research also utilized the United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights which stated that
every person cannot be deprived of life liberty and security - which can include health benefits,
freedom of speech, and the like. Here, the researchers discussed the legality of marijuana on the
basis of one's human right. If this is the sole context used, then the legalization of marijuana
would be of great benefit to help and sustain one's good health in certain cases.
I. Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework will have two key points: the law factor and the medicinal
factor; through this we can distinguish the two conflicting sides that are obligated to answer for
the demise of the one being treated medical marijuana. This concept was made by the researcher
themselves.
In the medical factor, we chose to discuss about the use of the Hippocratic Oath that is
sworn to practice their profession in full liability on what is to be done. As a doctor or medical
practitioner, it is their duty to try and do anything that is possible regardless of moral reasons that
are accepted by the norms.
Next is Medical Ethics which shall conclude all of the responsibilities of a medical
professional to his/her fellow men. To act as a responsible person understood by the medical
world in what they are trying to commit.
In the law factor however, we came up with the idea of including laws that are related to
the right of life of human to what he/she wants to do as they wish as a human being. Laws and
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other acts are included to support the claim of law-makers in their own perspective about the
drug itself and how they treat this certain substance.
This framework wishes to accomplish the conflicting obligations of a law-maker and

medical practitioner in exercising their power which may be related to the people that are
affected by it. It also wishes to accomplish the idea of legalization of the substance and to bring
and gather information to our chosen respondents in which this thesis will be the main focus of.
II. Hypothesis
The null and alternative hypotheses of this research are the following:
The null hypothesis which is denoted by H0 is: “The concept of the Legalization of Medical
Marijuana will have a positive effect on the economic, social and medical ideas in the
Philippines.”; on the other hand, the alternative hypothesis which is denoted by H1 is:
(Correction) “The concept of the Legalization of Medical Marijuana will have a negative effect
on the economic, social and medical ideas in the Philippines.”
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
I. Research Design
In regards to our main topic which is to see, analyze and scrutinize the Perspective of
University Belt students in the Legalization of Medical Marijuana in the Philippines, we
researchers will utilize the Case Study Research Method. We think it reasonable to adhere to
such method for the same excels at bringing an understanding of complex issues extending on
considering the ideas and thoughts. It involves the selection of the year levels which are essential
to the study, evaluation, analysis and their own perspective given that their time during their
school years may have affected their way of thinking about the concept of medical marijuana.
This quantitative research method is the best one to be used because of the nature of the study
which involves an examination of comments and opinions regarding the issue that we are trying
to tackle; also we are dealing with a large sample size and we used Random Sampling in
choosing them. The Case Study Research Method serves as an empirical inquiry to an
investigation of the statistical survey that we will be conducting. Furthermore, this research
method is best applied when there is not much known about the subject, thus even though
Medical Marijuana has its advantages and disadvantages proven, we still cannot see the true
potential of its capabilities as a helpful medicine.
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Although analyzing the results of the survey which we will be conducting will be able to
answer the issue, we know that there is a much bigger issue due to its conflicts with the law and
thus we cannot make a Statement of Fact regarding the issue, this study will show the ideas only.
Aside from the Case Study Research Method then, we intend to use the Descriptive Research
Method. Under it we need to collect valuable and a large amount of data in order for us to come
up with a more detailed analysis of the subject. By providing surveys, we have to sum up even
the smallest factors such as age and location in order for us to come up with a reliable output.
The factor of location is important for the purpose of our title itself which will be concentrated
through random sample in Ilocos Norte that are of legal age and are part of the University Belt
Population.
II. Local and Population
The Total will be 250 samples. Larger sample size is to be conducted for the purposes of
trying to get the ideas mainly from people that are in the University Belt area of Ilocos Norte. By
this we can at least get an idea about their ideas and views plus their own perspective regarding
medical marijuana.
III. Collection instrument
The indirect method, commonly known as the questionnaire method this will also be adopted
in this research. Likewise, the researchers constructed a structured questionnaire which contains
5. Likert Scale questions determining how much they agree or disagree with a particular
statement in terms of agreement, importance, and adequacy, 10 close-ended questions
answerable by Yes or No, and 5 dichotomous questions or multiple choice.
The questionnaire constructed by the researchers is structured in a manner that the questions
will be easily answered and easily understood by the respondents and is limited only to the
essential information needed in this particular study. Questions are also arranged in a way that
the opinion or view of a respondent regarding the legalization of medical marijuana will be
determined.
The aim of the researcher’s in employing both the direct and indirect methods of data
collection is to gather and obtain actual information from different people.
IV. Data Gathering Procedure
Through the aforementioned data gathering instrument us researchers will go around the
streets of Ilocos Norte trying to talk to these people with their permission to get them to answer
our survey for academic purposes. Those that will not be able to get to our fixed requirement in
the targeted school in San Nicolas will be disregarded in the analysis of the study.
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All surveys that qualify for our analysis shall be kept by us and will be given for purposes of
evidence. Some surveys may appear on-line for practicality of our friends their common friends
if ever they would allow us to explain our survey for them to understand its purpose.
Names in the survey may be optional for the purpose of protection from the judgment of the
common good. The public may judge these people in their response to our survey. Our topic is
clearly a sensitive one and may trespass the law; thus making us use the survey for purposes of
research and analysis only.
V. Data Analysis
The analysis of the study will be from the facts that are stated from the survey. From the
background of the samples, we can clearly provide an insight on how they think about the
Legalization of Medical Marijuana in the Philippines. Each sector of the 150 samples provided
by us will be closely weighed and will be subject to clear analysis by us researchers in their
respective provinces and its customs and traditions.
By the quantitative research design, us researcher will be able determine through opinion-
based information about the issue of “The Legalization of Medical Marijuana”. As a democratic
country, even the public has the right to react in the enactment of the law, thus comments should
be gladly accepted by those that will have the capacity to intervene with the law.
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CHAPTER IV
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
The following data has been gathered from the 250 samples that we have approached and was able to
get data regarding our survey. This chapter presents the data obtained from the survey questionnaires
answered by the respondents, the analyses and interpretations leading to the answers of the research
problems stated in the first chapter.
Question 1: Do you know what marijuana is?
YES NO
246 4
INTERPRETATION: With regards to the basic idea of “Marijuana”, 98.99% of them
have an idea of what is Marijuana either in their medical context or the recreational context
which shows that most of our respondents have a grasp of what is the object of our study.
Question 2: Are you aware that Marijuana is a dangerous drug?

(In accordance with the Dangerous Drug Act, R.A. 9165)
YES NO
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200 50
INTERPRETATION: 81.45% of our respondents are aware that Marijuana is considered to

be a Dangerous Drug within Republic Act. 9165 which shows that majority of the respondents
show awareness on Marijuana. 18.55% of the respondents however are not aware. Due to the fact
that maybe it is considered dangerous in the idea itself, some of the respondents are have no idea
of the act penalizing the use or possession of Marijuana.
Question 3: Do you know anybody that uses this drug and abuses it?
YES NO
150 100
INTERPRETATION: Majority of the respondents, specifically 57.39% of them have

knowledge about people who uses Marijuana and are found to be abusing it. This focuses on the
recreational use of Marijuana of some of the peers or acquaintances of the respondent which we
cannot fully distinguish due to some personal limitations. 42.61% of them however do not know
any people who use and abuse this drug which shows how the respondents think that Marijuana
will not be abused due to its benefits and disadvantages
Question 4: Do you have any knowledge with regard to its effects?
YES NO
188 62
Question 5: Do you believe that marijuana has medical effects and can be used as
medicine to treat certain illnesses?
YES NO
185 65
INTERPRETATION: 185 of our respondents believe in the supposed medical benefits

of marijuana and can be used to treat illnesses. Some factors maybe from those who know users
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that have been affected or researches from other medical practitioners. 16.29% of the
respondents however do not believe this fact maybe from the idea that anything that is illegal is
bad and frowned upon and that they may have come up an assumption with regards to its effect
in the individual
Question 6: Do you think that people should be informed and be given substantial
knowledge about all the aspects of marijuana and all of its effects?
YES NO
211 39
INTERPRETATION: Respondents with a percentage of 89.72% agreed to the

dissemination of information about the drug. This may be for the proper settlement of what is
marijuana and to avoid confusion about the drug itself. The factor of curiosity may also be
applied here as we are all humans who have desire to get information.10.28% however disagreed
about the information to be spread out. This may be from the factor of close mindedness of some
individuals to accept populace ideas. Other factors can be due to its illegality, it may open up
controversies which would lead to chaos.
Question 7: Are you aware that there is a pending bill that aims to legalize
marijuana?
YES NO
90 160
INTERPRETATION: Almost half of the sample (disregarding those who abstained) is

in conflict in our question regarding the knowledge of the pending House Bill 4477 or the
Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana. It shows that the concept of the bill is very well
unknown to the public and it should be given emphasis for this drug is very controversial to our
society today
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Question 8: Would you support this bill and its possible legalization of marijuana?
YES NO
155 95
INTERPRETATION: We believe that this is a striking question in our survey. Some

people didn’t bother to follow the instruction regarding it so we shall count those who answered
in regards to this. 54.44% of the respondents would gladly support this bill if given the chance to
vote for the passing of this bill while the other 45.46% of the respondents who gave time to
answer this would not support this bill as it would only lead to very risky move in our society
which they would think would lead to abuse.
Question 9: If the legalization of marijuana was a success and enacted by the

Republic of the Philippines, do you think there would be an impact economically and
socially?
YES NO
165 85
INTERPRETATION: 1.74% of the sample size abstained from this question due to their
unsure idea of complication that would lead to the legalization of medical marijuana in the
Philippines. However 84.21% of the sample gave agreed that there would be an impact in our
society because we can all agree that something like this would lead to a huge effect in our
economy and social lives.
Question 10: Do you think that people who are in dire need of marijuana for
medical purposes but get it underground (illegal distributors) are unlawful people?
YES NO
145 105
INTERPRETATION: 52.38% of the respondents believe that people who get the drug
illegally are to be considered criminals in the eyes of the State. These people still believe in the
power of the law but surprisingly almost half of them disagree with a percentage of 47.37% of
them considers them as common people who set aside values and the law in order to do
something with their own use of this drug for unknown reasons.
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Question 11: Do you agree that marijuana should be kept illegal because it is
deemed by society as a danger to one’s health?
AGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE STRONGLY

AGREE DISAGREE
85 35 95 24
INTERPRETATION: The researchers opted to combine the ideas of Strong and its
common conception of the agreement and disagreement into 2 individual groups for better
understanding and that we concluded that it only has the same idea but in a different degree only.
Those who strongly agreed and agreed are mainly 85 and 38 which build up to 52.64% of the
sample size believe in the idea of the society about marijuana and that it still should be deemed
illegal due to the existence of danger that might lead to its legalization. 95 respondents and 24
respondents disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively believe that the illegality of a certain
thing is not within the range of its dangerousness but should be weighed with its benefits to our
society especially about marijuana.
Question 12: If people had more knowledge about marijuana and its proven
medicinal attributes and healing properties, do you

AGREE DISAGREE
100 47 80 23
INTERPRETATION: 100 of the respondents agreed parallel to those who strongly

agreed with a number of 47 respondents; compared to those who disagreed 80 respondents in
relation to those who strongly disagreed which has 23 respondents. We can see here that
knowledge of marijuana is really a factor in how society sees this particular drug. In explaining
its benefits and attributes, this might help lead the way in helping to understand those who
cannot absorb the essence of the drug’s use in society.
Question 13: Do you agree that a person who is sick should be given the proper
medicine needed in order to cure him?

AGREE DISAGREE
104 125 17 4
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INTERPRETATION: By a landslide, the idea of agreeing to this significant matter of

moral and values beats those who disagree regarding this matter. 125 of the sample expressed
their strong agreement to this matter as to a person must be given the proper medicine in order to
cure him/her; in connection with this, 104 of the samples agreed to this idea while 21
respondents combined with the answers of those who disagreed and strongly disagreed. We can
see that medical ethics is present in the output of this question and therefore if proper medicine
be marijuana, it should be stated that the reputation of the drug is no longer an issue regarding
someone’s life.
Question 14: If marijuana could cure a person, do you agree that it should be made
legal so that it could be easily accessed by any person who is in need?

AGREE DISAGREE
108 75 45 22
INTERPRETATION: The accessibility of the drug is now to be analyzed in from

those respondents who voiced their strong agreement 75 agreed 108 strong disagreement 22 and
those who disagreed 45. From the chart we can conclude that through effectiveness of the drug, it
must be connected to easy access of the drug to ensure its availability for the persons who are in
dire need of the effects of the drug. Although 26.01% of the respondents disagreed for the fact
that even though it is effective, some drug should require prescription by a professional due to
the history and reputation of marijuana itself.
Question 15: Do you agree that marijuana, having some medical benefits, should
also be allowed to be sold in pharmacies and prescribed by doctors?

AGREE DISAGREE
110 30 90 19
INTERPRETATION: 110 and 30 of the samples have the idea to affirm that due to the
effects of marijuana, it should be sold in local pharmacies around the Philippines and should be
described by professional doctors because in through these mediums, there exists a fiduciary
relationship in regards to their role in society and thus will be considered safe and reliable.
Respondents who disagreed to the idea particularly 90 and those who strongly disagreed which is
19 clings to the idea that authorized agencies and other experts who have knowledge about the
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PHILIPPINES:
usage and dosage of marijuana have the right to release these drugs and should not be easily
accessible to the modern mass for proper screening of those who are planning to use them.
CONCLUSION:
Through the survey and data gathering that we conducted, it can be found that marijuana
is indeed a very popular and well-known drug in our country. A majority of the population is
aware that it is also considered as a dangerous drug and is illegal in our country. Through our
study, we found that marijuana is indeed very rampant among students that are in college and
that they are also quite familiar with regard to its effects. Seeing as most of the samples taken are
aware of the effects, a majority of them also believe that marijuana may be used as medicine. To
support this, most of the samples also believe that proper and complete information about the
drug should be disseminated for the purpose of deeper understanding and knowledge with regard
to its effects; whether bad, good, positive, negative, harmful, or beneficial. Once asked if they
were aware of a bill that aims to legalize marijuana, there was a close gap between those who
said yes and those who answered no. Upon asking this, we found that a great portion of the
samples answered that they would be willing to support the bill that aims to legalize the use of
marijuana. As expected, an enormous number of the samples agreed that there would be an
obvious impact economically and socially if this bill were to be enacted. Despite the number of
people claiming to support its potential legalization, there were a lot of samples who thought that
people who got illegal and underground access to marijuana, be it medical or whatever are
deemed unlawful, even criminal. With regard to this, more people believed that marijuana should
be kept illegal as it is considered dangerous in our society. Furthermore, there were also more
people who agreed that marijuana would still be frowned upon even if society was given more
substantial knowledge about the effects of it. Winning by a landslide, a gigantic portion of the
samples agreed that people with a sickness should be given the proper and needed medicine.
With regard to this, a significantly large amount of the samples also agreed that marijuana should
be easily accessed and made legal to those who need it as a medicine. A larger portion also
answered that the sale of marijuana, with its medical benefits, in pharmacies and through
prescription should be made legal. Although it was a close race, a larger amount of the samples
understand marijuana to be an illegal drug rather than a drug with medical benefits. More
samples believed that the legalization of marijuana would prove to be beneficial, but a significant
number also believed that the effect would be harmful. Most of the samples do not care and have
a neutral opinion about those who use marijuana for recreational purposes and a large portion of
them agreed that the bill that aims to legalize marijuana would pave a positive and beneficial
way in the discovery of cures for a number of illnesses.
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PHILIPPINES:
CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
I. SUMMARY
The main problem of this study is to know the perception of students around the Ilocos
Norte, about the legalization of marijuana in the Philippines. To accomplish that objective,
more investigation about the said drug was done. The components regarding medicine, the
ethics of medical practitioners, the possible diseases that the drug can heal or lessen were
explored. Also the impact of the legalization in the rights of a person, the Republic Act 9165
or Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, and the pending bill about the legalization of marijuana.
After that, we determined the areas and the people who will be asked about their concern
relating to the problem. After those paces were done, the research was able to move on.
Respondents were asked to answer fifteen questions regarding their knowledge about the
drug, their side on whether it should be legalized or not, their view on the people who uses it
for medical and for recreational, and for their outlook on the effects in the society when the
drug becomes legal. Through the use of the survey questionnaire, we collected the ideas of
the random students concerning their view on the legalization and effects of marijuana, and
were able to create a conclusion on this study.
II. RECCOMENDATION
Although the majority of the samples accepted the legalization of marijuana, we are not
fully certain if the drug can cure diseases, or must be authorized by the law, while the
lawmakers need to be sure first before legalizing this drug, that marijuana really is dangerous
and can destroy the society.
The results of the study recommend that the government should enact a law on legalizing
marijuana, but with strict counsel that it should only be used for medical purposes, and not
for pleasurable acts.
We recommend further studies in relation to this topic to further expand the respondents
involved in the study. Although this is a huge factor in those that are involved as they are the
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PHILIPPINES:
future adults of this era; the expansion of respondents must be realized in order to come up
with a much better conclusion regarding the perception of the populace regarding House Bill
4477 or Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana.
III. CONCLUSION
To come to a conclusion, we find that marijuana is indeed a highly notorious drug in our
society as well as most. But through research and data gathering, it has also been proven to
have medical attributes as well. It is only right that proper and complete information should
be provided to the public about marijuana and all other things as well. The influence and
change that information brings is unarguably a very powerful factor regarding what people
believe in and what they should choose to believe in. Information about the properties of
marijuana is insufficient and biased in many aspects. The possibility of marijuana being able
to open opportunities and make breakthroughs in the world of medicine has and will always
be considered by researchers and innovators around the world. If there is such proof that
marijuana may cure certain illnesses and chronic diseases, then why should people be so
disgusted by habitual users and those who use it for recreational purposes?
The public lacks sufficient knowledge about all of its properties and attributes. In the
previous chapter of our study, the data that we were able to gather prove that a majority of
the samples agree that they should be given more substantial knowledge about the full and
unbiased effects of marijuana, this is in spite of them having enough knowledge that
marijuana is indeed illegal and considered harmful in our society. This is so that they may
also be the judge as to whether marijuana should be legalized or not. After all, how would the
public give opinions about its legalization without them having sufficient knowledge about
the subject?
To sum it all up, although there were some inconsistencies, we were able to find that
more people agree to the legalization of marijuana given its medical properties. To further
elaborate, we can see that this is all consistent and on par with our null hypothesis which
states that: “The legalization of Marijuana can play an important role in leading to multiple
methods of curing a number of chronic diseases and other similar illnesses”. As we can see,
the proposed hypothesis proved to prosper in terms of favorability with regard to the strength
of the argument.
Page 35
PHILIPPINES:
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PHILIPPINES:
APPENDICES
I. REFERENCES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Association, P. M. (2008, September 22). Code of Ethics of the Philippine
Medical Association. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from Philippine Medical
Association: https://www.philippinemedicalassociation.org/downloads/pma-codes/FINAL-PMA-
CODEOFETHICS2008.pdf
Association, P. M. (n.d.). Hippocratic Oath. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from PMA
Bellosillo, J. N. (2010). Basics of Philippine Medical Jurisprudence and Ethics.
Quezon City: Central Book Supply.
Board, D. D. (n.d.). Can dangerous drugs be prescribed for therapeutic
purposes? Retrieved November 19, 2014, from Dangerous Drug Board:
http://www.ddb.gov.ph/legal-services/ddb-certification/46-sidebar/68-faqs
Collins, S. P. (2014, August 26). Legalizing Medical Marijuana Can Help Prevent
People From Overdosing On Painkillers. Retrieved November 12, 2014,
from Think Progress:
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/08/26/3475949/medical-marijuanapainkillers/
Estrada, S. J. (2002). Senate Bill No. 674. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from
Senate: http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/81856680!.pdf
Fred, A. (2014, September 5). Legalize Marijuana in the Philippines? Retrieved
November 19, 2014, from attyatwork: http://attyatwork.com/legalizemarijuana-in-the-

philippines/#more-3278
Geronimo, J. Y. (2014, May 28). Bill on medical use of marijuana filed in
Congress. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from Rappler: http://www.rappler.com/nation/59118-

compassionate-use-medical- cannabis-bill
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PHILIPPINES:
Jones, D. (2013, November 11). Chris Christie Signs Medical Marijuana Bill,
Increasing Access for Children. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/11/chrischristie-medical-marijuana_n_3909162.html
Nations, U. (1948, December 10). Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Official Document. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from Human Rights:

http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/universaldeclaration-of-human-
rights/articles-01-10.html
NCSL. (2014, November 7). State Medical Marijuana Laws. Retrieved November
12, 2014, from National Conference of State Legislatures:

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx
Pedrasa, I. (2013, October 7). How to access medical marijuana in PH. Retrieved
November 19, 2014, from ABS-CBN News: http://www.abscbnnews.com/focus/10/07/13/how-

access-medical-marijuana-ph
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THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE

[THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE PHILIPPINES:]

I. Statement of the Problem

II. Significance of the study

III. Scope and Limitations

IV. Definition of Terms

- The inability to consistently abstain and impairment in behavioral control to a certain

House Bill 4477

- The way of putting it as part of the law of the land.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

Philippine Medical Association President Oscar Tinio denies any information

It is stated in a part of the Hippocratic Oath that:

To reckon all who have taught me this art equally dear to

me as my parents and in the same spirit and dedication

to impart knowledge of the art of medicine to others. I

will continue with diligence to keep abreast of advances

in medicine. I will treat without exception all who seek

my ministrations, so long as the treatment of others is

not compromised thereby, and I will seek the counsel of

particularly skilled physicians where indicated for the

Classifications of medical professional liability — all medical professional liability

1. Feasance simply mean “performance” or the doing of an act.

However, according to Bellosillo, there is one more classification; it is the inability to do

Section 24. Grounds for reprimand, suspension or revocation of registration

1. Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving

7. False or extravagant or unethical advertisements wherein other things than his

3. Republic Act 9165 or Dangerous Drug Act of 2002

Section 2 of Republic Act 9165 also known as the Comprehensive

Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 states:

Section 2- Declaration of Policy

‘Dangerous Drugs’ is defined under Republic Act 9165 as:

These include opium, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu", and

Cannabis or commonly known as "Marijuana" or "Indian Hemp" or by its any

Section 11. Possession of Dangerous Drugs – The penalty of life imprisonment to

4. House Bill No. 4477 or Compassionate Use of Medical

It is stated in Section 3 of the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Bill that:

Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia/wasting syndrome, muscular dystrophy, severe fibromyalgia,

SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to provide measures to

SEC. 4. Medical Cannabis Regulatory Authority.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions.

- The Authority shall have the following powers and functions:

- The Authority shall be headed by a Director-General who shall be appointed by the

SEC. 25. Prohibited Acts.

- It shall be prohibited for:

SEC. 26. Penalty.

5. Medical Act of 1959

 Anatomy Biochemistry and Nutrition Microbiology

6. The 1987 Philippine Constitution

“Section 24. Grounds for reprimand, suspension or revocation of registration

1. Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving

7. United Nations Declaration of Human Rights

8. Synthesis of review of Related Literature

This framework wishes to accomplish the conflicting obligations of a law-maker and

II. Local and Population

III. Collection instrument

IV. Data Gathering Procedure

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Question 1: Do you know what marijuana is?

INTERPRETATION: With regards to the basic idea of “Marijuana”, 98.99% of them

Question 2: Are you aware that Marijuana is a dangerous drug?

INTERPRETATION: 81.45% of our respondents are aware that Marijuana is considered to

INTERPRETATION: Majority of the respondents, specifically 57.39% of them have

Question 4: Do you have any knowledge with regard to its effects?