Senator Robinhood Padilla’s refiling of the medical cannabis bill in the 20th Congress has renewed hopes for its passage, following the House’s approval of House Bill 10439 in 2024.
Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte, the bill’s principal author in the House, expressed optimism that the measure could now gain Senate approval and be signed into law by President Marcos.
Senate Bill 2573, co-authored by Padilla and backed by 13 senators, stalled in the Senate plenary during the 19th Congress but is now among Padilla’s 10 priority measures.
The bill seeks to legalize the use of non-addictive medical cannabis as a more affordable treatment option for serious conditions like cancer, epilepsy, HIV, and PTSD.
Advocates point out that over 60 countries have already legalized medical cannabis, and its benefits are supported by global medical research.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 14, 2025
