WITH many Filipinos continuing to suffer from medical conditions such as seizure disorders and epilepsy, and other side effects from synthetic medicines, Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla called for an open mind on the passage of his bill legalizing the compassionate use of medical cannabis, arguing that so-called “sin products like alcohol” are allowed yet they have proven bad side effects.

“Why not on products with health opportunities as well as other side benefits for the economy like medical marijuana (cannabis)?” Padilla asked.

Padilla raised this question late Wednesday amid the continued resistance of several groups against the compassionate use of medical cannabis.

“Gaano pa po karaming pagkakataon ang ating palilipasin? Hanggang kailan pa po natin isasara ang ating pinto para sa medical cannabis samantalang bukas tayo sa iba pang nakapamiminsalang produktong panlibangan lamang,” he said in his privilege speech.

Besides the many cited health benefits for the legalization of medical cannabis, Padilla cited many potential economic benefits from the non-psychoactive parts of plants from the marijuana species.

More than 25,000 items can be made from hemp, such as paper, money, rope, cloth, and even biofuel, laundry detergent, automobile construction parts, beauty products, hemp protein powders, hemp milk, hemp coffee and milk, particle board biodegradable plastic, paint, and insulation.

Hemp can also be converted to diamond and graphene – a material used in various industries such as electronics, bioengineering, and energy, he said, as he urged the government to pursue technologies to maximize the economic benefits from hemp.

“I am sure this will be a big help for our national progress,” said Padilla.

“We have nothing to lose but so much to gain,” he added.

Because of the stigma associated with marijuana, the government has neglected the economic benefits of the planting and harvesting of hemp, he said.

Yet, he lamented that up to now, “hindi natin mapalawak ang paggamit ng hemp dahil sa ‘stigma’ – dahil lamang kasama ito sa pamilya o species ng marijuana.”

Padilla said that no one had been recorded to have died due to an overdose of marijuana, yet in contrast, some 88,000 have died from the effects of consuming alcohol as of 2010.

While alcohol is considered a public health problem, 40% of Filipinos continue to consume it here, Padilla said, adding that the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc. said alcohol plays a major role in committing crimes and other problems in society.

“Alam po natin na ang sakit sa kalingkingan ay ramdam ng buong katawan. Tulad po sa ating bansa, damang-dama natin ang hirap at pasakit ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan. Ngunit kung gaano po tayo hirap na hirap na magbukas ng ating pinto sa paghahanap ng ‘lunas,’ tila ganoon naman po kadali sa ating yakapin ang mga produktong nagdudulot ng mas kapahamakan sa taumbayan,” he added.