MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday thumbed down the idea of legalizing marijuana in the country, including its possible use for medicinal purposes.
"You must remember that heroin, cocaine, and the derivatives are products of opium poppy plant. So matagal masyado magtama, if at all. Talagang mabuang (It takes time to be absorbed, if at all. You get crazy). Plant ‘yan eh (That's a plant). Marijuana. They are cultivated," Duterte said in his speech at the campaign rally of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Duterte said considering marijuana as a medicinal drug equates to condoning wrongdoings.
"I am ignorant of that kind of research, I must admit. And I do not read it and I do not intend to legalize it. Ayaw ko (I do not want to). Gawain mo lang excuse ‘yan eh (Legalization would be used as an excuse). Magtatanim ka ng iyo. Sabihin mo, 'Medicinal man kaya ‘to (People might cultivate it and say it is for medicinal purposes)," he said.
The President said drug traders can use this measure as an excuse to continue their illegal businesses.
"Sabihin medicinal. Lahat na lang mag-medicinal na. (They say it's medicinal. Suddenly, everything will become medicinal.) That would be an excuse. Hindi ako pumayag (I did not agree). Not in my time. Not in my time. Some other president, maybe," he said. (PNA)
