25/02/2026
A consolidated bill seeking to legalize medical cannabis moved forward in the House after the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and the Committee on Health approved the measure during a joint hearing. The proposal revives an initiative filed in previous Congresses that has yet to become law.
The measure, discussed under House Bill No. 317, grants compassionate access to medical cannabis, expands research into its medicinal properties, and establishes a regulatory framework covering patient access, authorized use, and penalties for prohibited acts. The hearing was co-chaired by Representatives Jonathan Keith Flores and Ciriaco Gato Jr., with lawmakers consolidating several pending House bills into a single proposal.
Senator Robin Padilla has been vocal in supporting the legalization of medical cannabis, backing proposals that allow regulated access for patients with legitimate medical needs. He has emphasized that any framework must remain limited to medical and scientific use and operate under strict government supervision. His position aligns with the House effort to confine the measure strictly to medical use.
Flores cautioned against expanding the proposal beyond its current scope, saying lawmakers are taking a gradual approach. Government agencies expressed support while stressing safeguards. A representative of the Dangerous Drugs Board said the bill seeks to balance national drug control policy with access to essential medicines.
The PDEA supported the measure but called for firm regulatory controls, including a prescription monitoring system and a research and development fund. The Philippine National Police also backed the proposal, underscoring the need for strict oversight to prevent abuse.
At the same hearing, the University of the Philippines Manila National Institutes of Health opposed the measure, citing concerns over safety, regulation, and enforcement. Lawmakers acknowledged the objections as deliberations continue.
Ma*****na cultivation, possession, sale, and distribution remain punishable under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Cannabis is also covered under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which limits its use to medical and scientific purposes.