PRO-CAR chief supports medical marijuana bill
2024-Aug-08 12:00
FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY. Marijuana eradication is a continuous activity of the law enforcers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) like in this undated photo provided by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region. PRO-CAR director, Brig. Gen. David Peredo, supports the passage of the proposed medical marijuana bill saying this will benefit both the users and cultivators. (PRO-CAR)
BAGUIO CITY – The chief of the Police Regional Office in Cordillera Administrative Region (PROCAR) supports the "medical marijuana" bill, passed on third and final reading by the House of Representatives last July 30.
PRO-CAR director PBGen. David Peredo said the measure will benefit both the users and the planters.
"Most of the users are senior citizens who boil them to control their arthritis. I would like to believe that they will benefit from the bill if it becomes a law," he said in a media interview on Wednesday.
The bill establishes the Medical Cannabis Office (MCO) to regulate the use of medical marijuana or cannabis and ensure its accessibility.
"We will support it (marijuana bill) for it to pass into law," Peredo added.
Peredo said poverty remains the reason for continued illegal marijuana cultivation in the country, particularly in the Cordillera, which is a continuous battle for the regional police force.
Anti-illegal drugs enforcers in the region have confiscated and destroyed about 8.58 million marijuana plants and seedlings from June 2022 to July 31, 2024.
This is aside from the 7,018 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves, 1,506 grams of marijuana seeds, and 729 milliliters of marijuana oil confiscated on the same period. (PNA)