Privilege Speech Sotto opposes move to legalize marijuana

On January 22, 2014, elements of the Manila Police District arrested a pedicab driver for the rape-slay of a six year (6) old girl in Paco, Manila. The accused admitted smoking marijuana before he committed the crime, this is contained in the police report. I can cite hundreds of other crimes committed under the influence of marijuana, but let me stop at that incident for now.

On January 29, or just 7 days later, some lawmakers from the House of Representatives were proposing to legalize marijuana usage, ostensibly for medical purposes. It is suggested that legalizing marijuana for medical use and decriminalizing its possession will set free those serving prison terms for marijuana use and, thus decongest our jails. Do they intend to raise false hopes?

I checked with our Bills and Index Division, and happily, I found no counterpart move on the part of the Senate to legalize marijuana use or possession.

Habang maaga pa lang po Mr. President, first round pa lang, I rise to douse cold water to the move to legalize marijuana use and possession- the door-opener to more dangerous drugs such as shabu, heroin, cocaine.

What is marijuana, Mr. President?

It is a plant, the major component of which is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In our research, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy of the United States of America, cannabinoid receptors in us are affected by the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient of marijuana. Many of these sites are found in the parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception and coordinated movement. Numerous studies show that THC's negative effects are the following:

• Short-term memory problems

• Distorted perception (sounds, sights, time, touch)

• Hallucinations and delusions occur

• Reduced blood pressure

• Long term uses leads to addiction

• Sleeplessness

• Bad temper

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Schizophrenia

• CHRONIC use leads to mental illness, vulnerability, and exposure to violence

• Also causes respiratory problems

• Affects brain development

What does our law say on Marijuana?

Under Republic Act 9165, also known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Marijuana is classified as a dangerous drug. Its possession and use is punishable from 12 years to life imprisonment, depending on the quantity.

More importantly, Mr. President, we are a signatory to the United Nation's Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs which classified marijuana as a dangerous drug, particularly the United Nation's Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UN-CND) Schedule IV.

Every year, there are numerous petitions asking the U.N. that marijuana be legalized because of its so-called medical benefits. But the United Nations has consistently refused to give in to their petitions simply because up to now, there is no empirical data that could back-up their claims. I do not think that these people who are lobbying for the legalization of marijuana are much better than the powerful research machinery of the United Nations- Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UN-CND).

If I may share, when I was in Vienna, Austria back in 2008 for the conference of the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime, the President of Bolivia wanted to legalize use of the coca plant, the basic resource of the illegal drug cocaine. In the conference itself, while he was on the podium, nilabas nya ang dahon ng coca at nginuya niya sa harap ng mga delegates at kinatawan ng United Nations. Sinisigaw niya dun na walang masama sa coca plant, dahil mismong ang lola nya ay gumagamit noon pa man. Ngunit walang pumansin sa kanya, Mr. President. They dismissed his tirade. UNODC pronounced that they have already conducted studies not only on cocaine but also on Marijuana. Those who seek legalization of these dangerous plants drugs should prove first the medical effect of these dangerous drugs derivatives before convincing us to legalize it.

Mr. President, let me cite some countries that legalized marijuana use but now have doubts about its advantages and are now on the verge of a rollback.

Netherlands is now considering to prohibit the use of marijuana. Based on their experience, the consumption of marijuana has tripled among the youth aged 18 to 20 years old since they have made its use legal.

Spain, which has the most relaxed drug-legislation in the world, is now proposing the ban in the cultivation of marijuana plants for personal use because of its wide-spread abuse and proven detrimental effects to human health.

In Canada, its court of appeals declared marijuana per se as illegal, while allowing the use of medical marijuana when appropriately prescribed. However, many physicians in Canada have refused to prescribe medical marijuana because according to them, its benefits are not scientifically proven.

Mr. President, pinipilit kasi nila, na may nagagamot daw ang Marijuana. Ang tinutukoy po nila ay ang tinatawag na cannabidiol o CBD na minor nonpyschoactive ingredient of marijuana. Some research says that CBD is considered to have a wide range of therapeutic benefits. Kung sinasabi ninyo na nakakagamot nga po talaga ang component na ito ng marijuana, eh di ito na lang po ang i-legalize natin. Why will we legalize the use and cultivation of Marijuana? The proposal to legalize marijuana is misleading. It is camouflaged under the term "medical marijuana". You don't declare a nuclear bomb legal just because a small component of the bomb can be used to light up your house.

Mr. President, if we legalize marijuana, we will inevitably promote its use especially among the young. According to the data which we have obtained from the Dangerous Drugs Board, marijuana has consistently been the second most commonly abused substance for the past several years next to shabu. Malaking negosyo na po ito ng mga drug pushers sa ngayon, at mas magiging malaki pang negosyo kapag ito ay naisabatas at naging legal na.

Mr. President, if we legalize the use of marijuana, it will become a disaster. If your child is using marijuana, will you encourage him of its continued use, or will you ask him to stop from using it? We will be sending a wrong message to the youth if we legalize marijuana.

My colleagues, I leave you with a question, kung makakasama sa nakararami gagawin ba nating batas para lamang sa iilan?

Let us stand up against legalization of marijuana now, otherwise the evil will take root.

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