By Steve Elliott
Hemp News
At least 20 lawmakers in the Philippines have signed on as co-authors of a bill which would legalize marijuana for medical purposes.
House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora is among the supporters of the bill, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act, House Bill 4477, filed by Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, reports Maricel Cruz at the Manila Standard.
"Right now, the bill has been backed by at least 20 lawmakers, and counting," Albano said. "For the record, the measure would not decriminalize the sale and use of marijuana as this is intended for medical purposes. It is just a matter of explaining to them what the bill is all about."
House Minority Leader Zamora said it's time for the Phillippine Congress to open its discussions on the medical benefits of cannabis. "We are in agreement that marijuana for medicinal -- strictly medicinal purposes -- should be examined," he said. "For recreational purposes, that's an entirely different issue."
House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. John Jorge Banal Jr., from Quezon City, said Albano's measure has a chance of being approved in Congress, as it would help patients suffering from serious illnesses that could be helped by medical marijuana.
