02/07/2025
Robin Padilla renews push for 'medical ma*****na'
By Hannah L. Torregoza
Published Jul 1, 2025 01:58 pm
During his sponsorship of the bill, the senator assured that the bill has sufficient safeguards from cultivation, to manufacturing and distribution of medical cannabis to qualified patients.
Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla has renewed his push for the bill prescribing ma*****na for medical purposes and expanding access to medical cannabis as a medical treatment.
Padilla refiled the bill on Monday, June 30 as senators rush to file their first 10 priority measures for the 20th Congress.
Padilla had filed Senate Bill No. 2573 or the proposed Cannabis Medicalization Act of the Philippines in the 19th Congress but the measure failed to pass on third and final reading.
The bill, nevertheless, reached the Senate plenary under Committee Report No. 210, signed by 13 senators.
During his sponsorship of the bill, Padilla assured the bill has sufficient safeguards from cultivation, to manufacturing and distribution to qualified patients.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, had decided to co-sponsor SB 2573.
Dela Rosa had said that upon examining the measure closely, he found SB 2573 “in full consonance with the existing anti-illegal drugs policy of the government.”
The bill also proposes the creation of a Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority (PMCA) that would be under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).
Among the first 10 priority measures Padilla filed included the bill expanding the grounds for dissolution of marriage, instituting divorce in the Philippines, the bill defining and prohibiting political dynasties, bill mandating the unified certification of halal products, and bill mandating the establishment of Muslim prayer rooms in all public offices and establishments
