FARMERS SAY MARIJUANA WON'T IMPROVE LIVES

A long-time marijuana farmer in Benguet said congressional measures to
legitimize the cultivation and distribution of marijuana for medical
purposes would not help farmers uplift their economic status.

"I have spent 10 years planting marijuana and the only thing it gave me is
(three square meals) for my family. I have not been able to send them to
school because I did not really earn from (marijuana). Now I am concerned
because I believe marijuana has also destroyed the ecology of Benguet," the
farmer said.

Limited Use

Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao proposed the legalization of marijuana "on a
limited aspect for use of laboratories to produce medicines." He said
marijuana has always been a high-profit crop for the region.

Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, who sponsored the proposed 2005 budget of
the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, said he was willing to co-sponsor
Chungalao's bill provided the bill and its impact are studied well.

"Kawawa kami (We are to be pitied)," the Inquirer source said, when asked
how they could be benefited by a legitimate marijuana trade.

He said many of their farms could no longer grow good vegetables, after
they were sprinkled with marijuana seeds that were supplied by marijuana
contractors.

"I don't know why this is happening, but if all farmers are allowed to grow
marijuana, I don't think we can go back to vegetables anymore," he said.

No Study

Although no scientific report backs these fears, Mayor Rogelio Leon of
Kapangan, Benguet, said a deeper study should be conducted to determine how
Benguet lands could accommodate commercial marijuana farming.

Kapangan is known in the Cordillera for its illegal marijuana plantations.

Leon said it is important for Congress to develop marijuana farming zones
to restrict it to a few farmers.

He said marijuana farmers used to cultivate vegetables but their town's
economy could not absorb their produce.

Most farmers in Benguet and Mt. Province have been fighting to keep their
vegetables in Metro Manila markets when they were displaced by smuggled
Chinese vegetables and imported European vegetables in the supermarkets.