We, the undersigned, urgently call on the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to legalize and strictly regulate medical marijuana for the benefit of Filipino patients who continue to suffer due to outdated laws, fear-based policies, and misinformation.

Thousands of Filipinos are living with cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, PTSD, and other life-altering medical conditions. For many of these patients, conventional medicines are ineffective, unaffordable, or cause severe and harmful side effects. Numerous scientific studies and real-world medical practice have proven that medical marijuana can reduce pain, control seizures, ease chemotherapy side effects, and significantly improve quality of life.

Despite this evidence, Filipino patients are forced to suffer in silence or risk imprisonment simply for seeking relief. Treating patients as criminals for using a proven medical treatment is inhumane and unjust.

Medical marijuana is not recreational drug abuse. It is a legitimate, doctor-prescribed medicine that is already legal and regulated in more than fifty countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, and Thailand. While other nations move forward with science-based healthcare, the Philippines continues to fall behind.

Denying access to medical marijuana is a violation of the fundamental right to health, the right to dignity, and the right to compassionate medical care. No Filipino should be forced to choose between unbearable pain and breaking the law just to survive.

Legalizing medical marijuana will provide safe and regulated access for patients, reduce dependence on expensive imported pharmaceuticals, support medical research, create jobs, and allow Filipino doctors to practice modern, evidence-based medicine. Proper regulation will ensure that medical marijuana is used only for legitimate medical purposes through doctor prescriptions, government oversight, licensed production and distribution, and strict penalties for misuse.

We are not asking for unregulated drug use. We are demanding compassion, science, and responsible governance.

We call on lawmakers, health authorities, and the President of the Philippines to immediately pass legislation legalizing medical marijuana, protect patients and healthcare professionals from criminal liability, fund medical research and public education, and place Filipino lives above fear, stigma, and outdated beliefs.

This is not about drugs. This is about people. This is about science. This is about compassion.

Legalize medical marijuana in the Philippines now