In every rule, there will always be an exemption.

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President Rodrigo Duterte has been committed to his campaign to eliminate illegal drug usages and transactions in the country, and that includes Cannabis or more commonly known as Marijuana, if and only if used for recreational purposes.

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You see, there is a fine line bordering between the medicinal and recreational functions of the said plant. And proper guidelines slash education toward such may benefit everyone, even stepping closer to progression of the society.

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Medicinal benefits

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Cannabis can actually treat diseases only imaginable by the current technology. Hence, once legalized, it can pretty much turn up our game in terms of the medicine. In a documentary entitled “Run from the Cure,” the possibility of Marijuana being an answer to cancer was underscored.

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Backed up by facts, the chemical components within it called cannabinoids activate certain receptors in the human body acting up to build a solid central nervous system and immune system. Thus, this explains why some of the readily available drugs in the market already contain cannabis in themselves.

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It was also about 3,000 years ago, when humanity actually realized the usages they can extract from Marijuana. Aside from the aforementioned effect, just in 2009, a study discovered further advantages brought by weed.

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According to a journal by the Europe PMC Funders Group, Cannabis was said to contribute in the treatment of those who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – which of course includes lessening tendencies of anxieties, depressions and agitations.

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Breakthrough science experimentations in the 21st century then also divulged the capacity of it for prevention of Alzheimer’s and regulation of bone mass.

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Legalization talks

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Given the said advantages, no wonder arguments on whether medical Marijuana should legalized or not have been spreading across the whole world inclusive of a conservative country like the Philippines.

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Canada was actually the first to take a huge risk in the legalization of medical Cannabis in 2001; and working on passing a law allowing recreational as well, front manned by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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Not long after, Columbia, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Uruguay, Romania, France and United States followed.

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Here in the Philippines however, in any form (whether it is for recreational or medicinal purposes), possession, cultivation and usage of Cannabis is still prohibited as per Republic Act No. 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Although, there have been groups in the country who is still wilfully and vigorously fighting for the legalization of such.

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Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society (PCCS) is a group of advocates of medical Cannabis. The alliance aims to promote the ‘healing of Filipinos,’ through a safe access with the plant itself.

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PCCS Founder Kimmi del Prado said that she does not need to be sick, nor any of her family members for her to actually stand up for this cause; all she actually needed was to be educated and open-minded about the possible  innovation in the medicine sector of the country.

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“I’ve done my research and I’m convinced that it’s a potentially lifesaving medicine. I’m just here promoting awareness of the many benefits of it, but what’s urgent is for patients to have safe access to medical cannabis,” she said.

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Del Prado has also always been positive about the future of Cannabis in the Philippines – with her group having strong affiliations with fellow advocates in neighbors nations Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

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Ergo, she also believes that more than the medicinal help of Marijuana, it also radiates a high potential for a successful industry.

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Duterte context and situation

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On the other hand, with the current state of the Philippines, the legalization may be facing a more taxing ‘approval.’

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President Duterte himself agreed to upon the abolishment of illegal drugs in any forms, as a part of his continuing saga and belief that it is the primary way for the depletion of crimes in a third-world country like the Philippines.

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The former Davao mayor even wants to reinstate Death Penalty especially and mostly limited for drug-related affairs, leaving other heinous acts behind.

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Perhaps, that only shows his love affair for drugs.

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With that being said, the attempt to legalize Marijuana may just be nowhere near success. Although, the notorious leader has expressed his openness about the idea of it being used as a medical aid.

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In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said that he has no problem with it as long as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives it a ‘green’ light – pun intended.

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Duterte added that he is in no position to actually decide if it will be legalized or not. However, once used in other purposes, he will surely interfere.

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Despite of his unprejudiced opinion about Cannabis, whether you are just an advocate like del Prado or one of the 1.8 million Filipino drug users (according to a 2015 data released by the Dangerous Drugs Board), you can’t still be complacent.

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Everybody stays as a drug pusher, drug addict or drug user, nowadays.

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A mere consideration on the medical advantages of Cannabis may actually be your own leeway to your own ‘cardboard justice.’

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