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City Council Opposes Congress Plan Legalizing Use Of Marijuana.
By admin | December 7, 2004
The Freeman (Fair and Fearless- Cebu, Philippines)
By Garry B. Lao
December 6, 2004
The City Council had opposed, via a resolution, the proposal in Congress legalizing the use of marijuana, even for medical use, as this could lead to widespread abuse.
This after Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao recently announced he is planning to file a bill decriminalizing the planting or cultivation of marijuana for medical use, and the government should instead focus its campaign against shabu.
Chungalaos planned bill had gained an unqualified support from Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo, the son of President Gloria Arroyo, due to its economic and medical value.
While admitting that marijuana can be used as a pain reliever, councilor Edgardo Labella said he is still its legalized propagation because the plant is not the only available source for such medical purpose.
Labella, laws committee chairman, rallied the council to oppose the proposed congressional measure saying, A notable number of medical experts opine that while marijuana has some medical value, the same can damage the brain.
Labella said the city has always been at the forefront in the campaign against the trade and use of illegal substances and marijuana, through enforcement of anti-drug abuse policies.
However, Chungalao said the government should focus its effort and resources against shabu because the drive to eradicate marijuana had been frustrating and costly anyway.
Besides, marijuana could easily be a high-value crop in the Cordillera region and could raise the income of farmers there, said Chungalao. Some of the congressmans supporters even said it could even make the Philippines the leading exporter of marijuana to countries where its use is legal.
Chungalao said marijuana has been legalized for medical use in other countries, and considering that many Ifugao provinces have been producing marijuana ever since, the country might as well make its propagation and use legal.
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