DUMAGUETE COUNCILOR: LEGALIZE MARIJUANA USE

The decriminalization or reduction of the penalty for persons arrested for
smoking marijuana has been suggested by an accredited doctor of the
Dangerous Drugs Board and the Department of Health.

Dumaguete City Sangguniang Panlungsod Member Noel de Jesus said he is in
favor of reducing the offense for marijuana use from criminal to
administrative in order to reduce the work of law enforcers.

Statistically, he said, less accidents or crimes have been reported as
committed by individuals addicted to marijuana, compared to alcohol or
shabu-related accidents or crimes.

De Jesus said some countries even allow the use of marijuana with doctors
prescriptions because they have medicinal value.

"This might sound very revolutionary in our setting, but this is to help
defuse a problem that has gone out of proportion," he said.

He also expressed concern about the diminishing number of accredited
doctors with the DDB because two of them are retiring.

He said the provincial drug rehabilitation center needs a DDB-accredited
doctor as stipulated in Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive
Anti-Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which states that those who examine,
treat or rehabilitate drug users shall be accredited with the DDB.