UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES

A/Y 2021-2022

The Legalization of Cannabis in the Philippines for Medical Use

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for Ethics

Malene Angelic Benosa

2nd-Year Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Researcher

Mr. Pepe Umali

Professor in Ethics

Research Adviser

March 15, 2022

CHAPTER 1
 INTRODUCTION

Despite the worldwide classification of marijuana as a less dangerous drug, the

Philippines still views its usage as an illegal action. The United Nations Commission on Narcotic

Drugs stated that the substance was removed from list of the most dangerous drugs in the world.

However, Philippine departments such as the PDEA and the DDB emphasized various

considerations in the production and implementation of marijuana within the country’s vicinity.

They explicated the urgency to comply with the regulatory control requirements entailed by the

concerned government agencies. Furthermore, cannabis is still prohibited under the Republic Act

No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Caliwan, 2020).

Scientific researchers argue that cannabis caters numerous treatments to people suffering

from severe medical conditions. Lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, treating

anxiety disorders, fighting cancer, and preventing drug addiction are some of the benefits that the

CBD component offers. The substance’s usage is still subjected under further studies to identify

other medical treatments (JWU, 2021). In the Philippines, the House of Representatives work on

regulating the use of marijuana. The House Bill 6517 legitimizes the utilization of medical

cannabis with proper evaluation and recommendation from the medical professionals. It ensures

indicators and qualifications for receiving cannabis treatment to observe safe compliance

(Cepeda, 2019). Its approval perceives other factors to prevent the primary concern on drug

addiction.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

The study aims to explore the considerations in legalizing the use of cannabis in the

Philippines for medical use. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:
 1. Why does cannabis use controversial in the Philippines?

2. How could medical cannabis contribute to the medicinal field?

3. What are the ethical considerations for legalizing medical cannabis in the Philippines?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

The result of the study will benefit the following:

Respondents. They may reflect on the benefits that the medical cannabis could offer and

its possible impacts to the society.

Students. This will motivate them to ponder on the considerations needed for legalizing

medical cannabis.

Parents. This will enlighten them of the proper substance usage to guide their children.

Society. Medical professionals would contribute more medical treatments to the people

with existing health problems.

Future Researchers. This will serve as a reference and guide for their relevant studies.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION:

The research is centralized on the considerations in legalizing the use of medical cannabis

in the Philippines. The inclusive date for conducting this study starts from March 15 until April

14,2022. Respondents would include the people residing in Naga City. Moreso, limitations may

be encountered in administering this study. Conflicting schedules are beyond the control of the

researcher and the participants. Also, respondents residing within the researcher’s proximity

would be prioritized for convenience. Insufficient information may also be expected in the

virtual communication to observe safety protocols amidst the pandemic’s occurrence.

METHODOLOGY

This research will utilize a qualitative approach that would tackle the various

considerations in legitimizing the use of cannabis in the Philippine setting. The researcher will

dwell on observational discussion with the subjects residing in the barangays of Naga City. In

addition, it would be conducted through a semi-structured interview. The questions would ask

for the participants’ views on legalizing CBD in the country. This would also involve the

possible considerations in implementing the said topic. The gleaned responses from the subjects

would be subjected for analysis and discussion. Related literature and other supplementary

information would also be stated to create the interpretation and conclusion.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Stated here are the terms used in the research that are relevant with the nature of the

study. The terms are as follows:

Cannabis. A type of plant subjected for studying its medicinal benefits.

CBD. It is a cannabidiol component found in the cannabis plant which is used for health

treatments.

Regulation. The manner of controlling the production and usage of medical cannabis.

Ethical Considerations. The set of guiding principles needed to legalize the use of medical

cannabis.

CHAPTER 2

DISCUSSION
 While it is widely recognized as an important substance in the medical field, the

Philippines still has its reasons in forbidding the application of cannabis in numerous treatments.

One justification is that the country conserves its jurisdiction through a strict observation of its

implemented laws. The existing Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 specifically

imposes a sanction to anyone who is planning to engage in marijuana usage within the local

territory. Amidst the global openness of adopting medical marijuana, the Philippines continues to

abide by its rules. Additionally, the citizens still have conservatist views on marijuana as an

illegal and harmful substance which could affect one’s right thinking. This is further emphasized

under President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. The intensified anti-drug operations caused

controversies that are associated with many human rights violations. The media and other news

agencies in the country exposed the realities of the administration’s drug war. International

actors express their public criticisms against the malpractices experienced by the victims. As a

result, the Filipinos face an impending life threat. It deviates them from acknowledging the

substance’s beneficial side (Sison, 2019).

Medical cannabis, according to scientists and medical practitioners, offers versatile health

benefits. It could be used to treat nausea, pain, and other symptoms. The World Health

Organization presents that cannabis is the most used drug globally with users comprising

approximately three percent of the world’s population. Historically, marijuana consumption was

applied as a patent medicine. Significant scenarios regarding its abuse brought legal penalties

through the implementation of relevant laws. People tend to increase their dosage which resulted

to its criminalization. The public still perceives it as a salient plant-based therapy which could

contribute innovative cure for several health defects. The primary concern lies on its side effects

which pose health risks to the users. However, proponents of medical cannabis explicate that
there are pieces of evidence to support the safety net of botanical cannabis. They argue that

cannabis constitutes the THC and CBD compounds which are perceived as the essential

components in producing medicines and other forms of treatments. In comparison with other

pharmaceutical agents, therapies concerning the use of marijuana are more inexpensive. With a

thorough, ethical, and professional study, this plant could treat more patients. Also, this imparts

an avenue for the researchers to engage in deeper scientific rigors regarding the medicinal field

(Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Hence, the Filipinos would be exposed to other medical options.

The medical cannabis imparts benefits that are vital in bringing good and healthy lifestyle

to the patients who need it. Some proponents focus on more research to identify other advantages

of cannabinoids and to know the proper execution of its production (Brandeis University, 2013).

The studies must uphold several ethical considerations such as informed consent, integrity,

confidentiality, and others that are deemed essential in the appropriate implementation of

medical cannabis. One of the participants said that the Philippines should start recognizing the

versatility of the said substance in terms of medical treatments. She said that the government

should focus on formulating policies that would guide the practitioners on its usage and prevent

them from abusing it at the same time. In other words, the legalization of medical cannabis for

medical use in the country should be linked with certain values and beliefs that the Filipinos

hold. Ethics counters the negative implications of the drug usage.

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