Medical groups oppose House Bill 4477 which they say is 'contrary to the policy of the state to safeguard the well-being of its citizenry'

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine medical groups on Thursday, October 16, expressed their opposition to a House bill seeking to legalize and regulate the medical use of marijuana in the country.

"We oppose [House Bill] 4477. We cannot risk endangering the health and safety of the Filipino,” read the statement released by the following organizations:

• Philippine Medical Association
• Philippine College of Physicians
• Child Neurology Society of the Philippines
• Group for Addiction Psychiatry of the Philippines
• Pain Society of the Philippines
• Philippine League Against Epilepsy, Inc.
• Philippine Neurological Association
• Philippine Psychiatric Association
• Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology (PSCOT)
• UP-PGH National Poison Management and Control Center (NPMCC)

Half of these medical groups earlier proposed the creation of a task force that will review existing policies...