Sen. Robin Padilla pushes for legalizing medical cannabis to ease burden of expensive treatments

Senator Robin Padilla is actively pushing for Senate Bill 2573, also known as the Cannabis Medicalization Act, which aims to legalize the use of medical cannabis in the Philippines.

Through this bill, Senator Padilla seeks to make medical cannabis more accessible to patients, promote research into its health benefits, and establish clear regulations for its cultivation and use in medical treatments.

At a press conference held in December at the Solaire Resorts and Casino, Senator Padilla called for compassion and open-mindedness in considering this option, emphasizing how it could ease the burden of costly medical treatments for many Filipinos.

He remarked, “Maawa naman po tayo do’n sa mga kababayan nating walang pambili ng gamot. Ito po yung pinaka-wonder na pwede nilang matakbuhan, ito pong …medical cannabis. Ito po kaya nating i-provide sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan.”

Senator Padilla also highlighted the irony of healthcare options available to Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad. He pointed out that while many Filipinos, especially those from low-income families, struggle to afford expensive medical treatments, people in other countries with similar illnesses are often able to access medical cannabis. He suggested that this disparity shows the potential benefits of legalizing medical cannabis in the Philippines.

Encouraging Filipinos to consider medical cannabis as a viable treatment alternative, Senator Padilla noted that many first-world countries have already embraced it.

He said, “Isipin mo, dito sa Pilipinas katakot-takot ang inuubos nating pera para makapagpagamot. Pero doon sa abroad, ang ginagamit na nila alternative treatment na. So sana maging gano’n po ang mentalidad na natin. Pag sinabi natin na itong medical cannabis treatment, ito yung alternative na treatment ginagawa na sa abroad – sa mga first-world countries.

“So sana tanggapin natin sa Pilipinas dahil ito yung naaangkop dito sa ating environment. Dahil ang dami po nating mahihirap na kababayan na may cancer, napakadami po,” he continued.

Senator Robin Padilla’s support for the Cannabis Medicalization Act emphasizes the need for better, more affordable healthcare in the Philippines. By legalizing medical cannabis, he hopes to offer an alternative treatment that can help Filipinos struggling with high medical costs. Through this bill, Senator Padilla is encouraging the public to consider the benefits of medical cannabis and support improved healthcare access for everyone.