AFTER actor Mark Anthony Fernandez claimed that he used marijuana for medical reasons, Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial confirmed on Wednesday that the Food and Drug Administration does grant exemptions for “compassionate use” of marijuana.
However, Ubial said the FDA has not received any application for a special permit although the law does allow marijuana use for medical purposes.
“We are telling groups that want to make it or use it for medical purposes, they can ask for exemptions from the FDA if they are going to use marijuana for medical purposes,” Ubial said in a television interview.
Ubial said she is aware that some doctors might recommend marijuana to their patients, but “there is a process [and] an exemption must be secured from the FDA.”
Based on her experience, Ubial said she knows of no incident where a marijuana use permit was requested from the FDA, an attached agency of the DOH.
She said the bills filed in the Senate and House of Representatives to legalize cannabis are still in limbo, but groups or individuals who want to use marijuana for medicinal purposes may apply for a special permit from the FDA.
Ubial issued the statements after actor Fernandez, who was arrested in possession of one kilogram of marijuana in Pampanga, claimed he uses marijuana to prevent cancer.
The actor insisted he is using marijuana because he does not want to be afflicted with cancer like his father, the late Rudy Fernandez, also an actor.
But Ubial declined to comment on Fernandez’ claim, deferring to the Dangerous Drugs Board to make an assessment.
“I leave it up to the DBB because we have a law on certain amount [that can be legally used],” she said, adding that there are 400 different chemicals in the raw form of marijuana and only one of them has health benefits, cannabidiol (CBD).
In other countries, she said they are able to separate the substances and produce marijuana leaves that have higher CBD content.
Marijuana use has been decriminalized in some countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico, albeit the possession and sale still come with restrictions.
Colombia, for example, sets the limit at 22 grams for personal use and 20 plants for cultivation. Certain states in the US also recently approved the medical use of marijuana.
