Philippine senator seeks to legalize medical marijuana

Rookie lawmaker files bill that would make country 2nd in Asia to permit cannabis use

20220823 Robin Padilla

Former actor Robin Padilla speaks at a campaign rally for Ferdinand "BongBong" Marcos Jr. ahead of May's presidential election in the Philippines. The former film star is pushing for legalization of medical marijuana. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Reuters)

MICHAEL BELTRAN, Contributing writer

MANILA -- A rookie senator is hoping that the Philippines can follow Thailand in becoming only the second Asian country to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Former movie star and newly elected lawmaker Robin Padilla last month filed a Senate bill to "legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis, which has been confirmed to have beneficial and therapeutic uses for known debilitating medical conditions."

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