FDA chief open to medical marijuana, pending strict regs

FDA director general Dr. Samuel Zacate expressed openness to using marijuana for medical purposes during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday.

Dr. Zacate emphasized the importance of innovation in medicine and noted that any use of marijuana would be subject to strict regulations, must benefit Filipino patients, and align with future possibilities.

The proposed bill allowing the medical use of cannabis was recently approved by joint House committees on dangerous drugs and health.

Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers clarified that the measure only permits medical use and does not decriminalize cannabis overall.

Under the proposed law, cannabis would still be listed as an illegal drug but with exceptions for pharmaceutical use under prescription.

The Department of Health currently allows the medical use of cannabis through a compassionate special permit, which may no longer be necessary if the bill becomes law.