Tolentino mistaken on medical marijuana

Senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino’s claim that there is no scientific basis for the efficacy of medical marijuana is false.

Over 30 states in the U.S. have already approved medical marijuana based on evidence of effectiveness for certain health conditions.

STATEMENT

During ABS-CBN’s “Harapan” town hall debate on Feb. 17, Tolentino and the other candidates were asked if they would support the legalization of medical marijuana in the Philippines.

Tolentino said he would oppose such a policy, claiming there is no evidence the drug can help the sick:

"Wala pa hong validated, scientific basis na ito ay makakatulong. Maging sa ibang estado po ng Amerika, hindi pa ho ito naaaprubahan. (There is no validated, scientific basis that this would be beneficial. Even in other states in America, this policy has not yet been approved).”

Source: ABS-CBN News, Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate, Feb. 17, 2019, watch from 51:51-52:03

FACT

Thirty-three U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia (D.C.), Guam and Puerto Rico, have already approved public medical marijuana programs.

California was the first U.S. state to establish a medical marijuana program in 1996, later legalizing it for recreational use in 2016.

The University of California San Diego found that cannabis can be used together with or as a substitute for opioids, which are drugs prescribed for pain relief.

Read the full story on VERA Files Fact Check.

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