MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives committee on health yesterday endorsed the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

The committee’s decision came a day after the House approved on third and final reading a bill re-imposing the death penalty for certain drug-related offenses.

Possession of illegal drugs, however, including marijuana, is not punishable by death under the bill but by life imprisonment.

The health committee, chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, created a technical panel to come up with a final version of the medical marijuana bill authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III.

During yesterday’s hearing, Jorge Ignacio of the Philippine Cancer Society said he and physicians belonging to the organization support the use of medical marijuana for patients with debilitating ailments.

He said substances in cannabis, another name for marijuana, have been found to relieve certain medical conditions.  [Read More @ Philstar]