DOH opposes medical marijuana despite House approval

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to the cultivation and manufacture of marijuana or cannabis products, despite a House committee passing legislation allowing medical use.

While recognizing efforts by groups to legalize medical cannabis use, the DOH emphasized the need for robust scientific evidence assessing cost-effectiveness and public health impact.

The DOH also noted that legislation should consider the regulatory capacity of involved government agencies, particularly in light of the bill approved by joint House committees seeking to legalize medical marijuana use.

At present, any use of marijuana remains illegal unless authorized through an FDA-issued special permit for specific indications.

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) opposed new legislation legalizing cannabis use, supporting only FDA-approved medical cannabis preparations for specific health conditions.

The PMA argued that advances in health technology should not be legislated and emphasized the potential harm of legalization to public perception, particularly among youth.