Public health and policy continue to converge in the national conversation on medical cannabis. At the forum “From Stigma to Treatment: A Forum on Medical Cannabis Legalization in the Philippines,” convened by the University of the Philippines Institute of Human Rights, leaders and subject matter experts from government, academe, civil society, medical organizations, research institutions, and patient advocacy groups examined how law, health, and human rights intersect in shaping this evolving discourse.
Discussions covered international regulatory models, risk mitigation mechanisms, and patient-centered approaches to care. Resource persons shared insights on how other jurisdictions structure medical access alongside strict oversight, including systems for monitoring, accountability, and controlled distribution. Health practitioners and researchers emphasized the importance of clinical evidence in shaping policy, while legal experts examined how legislation can expand treatment options without compromising regulatory controls. Patient advocates highlighted concerns on access, emphasizing the need for clear, safe, and evidence-based pathways that respond to medical needs.
During the open forum, representing the Dangerous Drugs Board, Permanent Member Undersecretary Abad Osit emphasized the agency’s mandate as the government’s policy-making and coordinating body on drug prevention and control. He noted that discussions on cannabis, classified as a dangerous drug under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, must remain grounded in scientific evidence, regulatory discipline, and safeguards that protect public health.
Iba’t ibang aspeto ng usapin ang tinalakay sa forum, na nagpapakita ng pangangailangang maging maingat, may sapat na batayan, at nakatuon sa kapakanan ng publiko sa anumang magiging hakbang.
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