BY HERMAN M. LAGON
THE DEBATE on the legalization of marijuana or cannabis sativa for both medical and recreational use changes as time moves forward.
This issue is becoming increasingly important in the country and is in line with global transformations because of the clear advantages this could bring to our country. This argument spans health, economic development, social justice, and national identity.
The time has come to consider the possibilities of this vital pitch, particularly given that we are at the cusp of a future-driven national transformation.
Filipinos are not naive to the medical advantages of marijuana, which have been well-documented globally.
Consider the tale of Charlotte Figi, an American child whose severe epilepsy was reduced intensively with the use of medical marijuana. Her case–along with that of Filipino vlogger Wil Dasowicz – who discovered relief from the side effects of cancer treatment by cannabis, emphasizes the potential of cannabis as a vital tool in the treatment of different diseases.
Despite the stigma that has long surrounded cannabis, these are not one-off events; rather, they are part of an increasing corpus of data indicating marijuana might be a necessary tool for treating chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer, anxiety, depression, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, fibromyalgia, and other severe disorders.
Legalizing medical marijuana could offer a substitute for those with ailments that traditional medicine cannot completely treat in the Philippines, where access to advanced healthcare can be limited.
Currently under debate in Congress, the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act marks a positive direction. This measure aims to create a controlled system for the medical use of cannabis, so providing relief for thousands of daily suffering Filipino patients with chronic pain and other conditions.
It is noteworthy that, following three UN treaties, 50 countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States (in 38 states), Canada, Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay have all legalized the medical use of cannabis. Moreover, the last nine countries have taken further steps by legalizing its recreational use.
Apart from the indisputable medical advantages, legalizing marijuana has equally interesting financial consequences. The cannabis-friendly law in states like Colorado and Washington in the United States has resulted in billions in sales, thousands of employment, and significantly increased state taxes, so augmenting state revenue. In our context, these financial advantages could be transformational.
The tax income collected from a controlled marijuana industry could help vital sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, and education—areas most in need of extra money. Consider the effects on our economy if we could copy the success observed in several countries, states, and cities all over the globe. (To be continued)/PN
