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Is There Hope for the Philippines to Legalize Marijuana Now That Anti-Drug Zealot President Duterte is Out?

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With President Duterte, King Of The Philippines’ Deadly War On Drugs Finally Out Of Office, Is There Hope for Legal Weed?

With President Duterte, King Of The Philippines’ Deadly War On Drugs Finally Out Of Office, Is There Hope For Legalizing Marijuana?

June 30th, 2016 was the beginning of some of the Philippines’ darkest days.


That was the day that Rodrigo Roa Duterte, former president of the Philippines, assumed office. While he was known for his numerous political accomplishments serving 7 terms as the mayor of Davao, he was also notorious for his hatred towards drugs.

And since the day he assumed office as president of the Philippines, thousands of unjust deaths supposedly related to the war on drugs took place around the country. It was a dark, bloody time: it’s believed that more than 12,000 Filipinos died because of the war though some 2,500 of these deaths were linked to the local police authorities. Regardless, this campaign unleashed a war that should not have taken lives at all.

According to Duterte, illegal drugs were the biggest hindrance to the survival of the country, preventing it from succeeding as a nation. In his eyes, people who used illegal drugs as well as those who pushed and sold them were free game – they could be killed by anyone even in broad daylight, without due process being served. Of course it caught the attention of human rights watchers globally, but he showed no remorse. People who used drugs, sold them, or even those without proof of doing so could be killed. It was a killing spree.

Under Duterte’s term, there was no way in hell that any bill trying to legalize medical marijuana would progress – even if his own ex-wife supposedly was using it to help cope with breast cancer. However, progressive lawmakers have been fighting to legalize medical marijuana in the Philippines since 2014. They were trying to get a bill into Congress though there has been very little progress made especially when Duterte assumed the presidency.

But something surprising happened in 2017: President Duterte’s spokesman said that he would be open to bills legalizing medical marijuana, which led to the third reading of House Bill No. 6517, also known as the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. But there always seems to be roadblocks…. In 2019, the bill was blocked by the Senate when it seemed as if Duterte had a change of heart saying that he will not allow medical marijuana to be legalized in his time.

Yes, he tends to eat his words a lot.

Thankfully, his term has just ended and the Philippines now has a new president in place: Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Marcos: Next In Line

Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. also known as Bong Bong Marcos, is by no means a lesser evil: the Filipino people elected the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, notorious for his iron rule in the country from 1965 to 1986, and placing the Philippines under martial law, which many recall as the dark ages. For fourteen years, the Marcos administration was able to get away with numerous human rights abuses especially against journalists who tried to speak up against the Marcos government.

And now, his son is in power.

But when it comes to legalizing marijuana, he might just be the president we needed.

There are rumors circulating that he does have sort of an open and liberal attitude when it comes to drug use. We won’t know that for sure because there is no evidence whatsoever at the moment, but if it is true then it could be good news.

In addition, a Filipino actor named Robin Padilla, whose political name is Senator Robinhood Padilla, was also voted into power during the last elections. A man with hardly any political background, but could this Robinhood be the man to finally help the Philippines progress with legal medical marijuana?

Sen. Padilla has been pushing for its legalization in recent weeks by filing Senate Bill 230, which would encourage research on the uses of medical cannabis, provide training for medical professionals on its use, and help people who need it, reports The Philippine Star. “The State should, by way of exception, allow the use of cannabis for compassionate purposes to promote the health and well-being of citizens proven to be in dire need of such while at the same time providing the strictest regulations to ensure that abuses for casual use or profiteering would be avoided,” said Padilla in the bill.

Furthermore, the bill states that medical marijuana, including products such as oil and capsules but not raw cannabis, can be given for “debilitating medical conditions of qualified patients.” According to the bill, these conditions are to include cancer, HIV/AIDS, sleep disorders, nausea, epilepsy, migraines, and other conditions that the Department of Health identifies.

These are only baby steps, but they are important.

Currently, it remains fairly simple for people to illegally source marijuana products through the black market in the Philippines. There are also a few non-government organizations and private entities that supply underground cannabis oil to those who are in need.

However, legalization is still an important step forward because decriminalizing it would remove the penalties associated with its use especially for those who are sick and need it for themselves of their children. Legalization will also ensure fair pricing of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis that patients can make use of, and so that patients can have a steady supply of the medicine that they need.

Hopefully, this administration will be the one to propel the Philippines forward and allow the country to perhaps be next in Asia after Thailand to legalize marijuana.

Source: https://cannabis.net/blog/locations/is-there-hope-for-the-philippines-to-legalize-marijuana-now-that-antidrug-zealot-president-dute

Corruption

Vigilance Arrests Officials After Bribery Complaints at Supply Office

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HARIDWAR, Uttarakhand — Officials from the Dehradun-based Vigilance Department have arrested Haridwar District Supply Officer Shyam Arya and two other employees on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹50,000, authorities confirmed. The arrests took place during a planned operation after investigators laid a trap at the District Supply Office in response to repeated complaints from the public.

According to vigilance sources, the accused were caught “red-handed” while receiving the alleged bribe, reportedly demanded in exchange for official services within the department. The operation, coordinated from the state capital of Dehradun, underscores the department’s commitment to tackling corruption.

Complaints That Triggered the Operation
The arrests followed months of complaints alleging that officials at the Haridwar District Supply Office were routinely soliciting illegal payments for government services. These included the issuance of ration cards, approvals for licenses, and other administrative clearances under the public distribution system.

Vigilance officials said preliminary verification of the complaints indicated a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents. Following this assessment, the department used a standard anti-corruption tactic of laying a trap to obtain direct evidence of bribe solicitation and acceptance.

Inside the Supply Office
After the arrests, vigilance teams established a presence inside the office, sealing parts of the premises while examining files and records. Investigators are reviewing documentation related to recent approvals and transactions to determine whether the alleged bribery was systemic.

The accused are also being questioned to identify potential accomplices and to ascertain whether accepting bribes was a routine practice. Officials noted that the investigation could expand depending on findings from the document review and interrogations.

A Broader Anti-Corruption Push
The case has drawn attention across Uttarakhand’s administrative machinery, particularly within the Supply Department, which plays a vital role in delivering welfare services. Vigilance officials said the arrests reflect a “zero-tolerance” approach toward corruption and warned that similar operations will continue wherever credible complaints arise.

The state’s anti-corruption drives have intensified in recent months, emphasizing both deterrence and accountability. While the investigation in Haridwar remains in its early stages, officials say it highlights the risks faced by public servants accused of exploiting their positions and the growing willingness of enforcement agencies to act on citizen complaints.

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A Tipping Point for Cannabis: President Trump Champions CBD & Cannabis Science on Truth Social

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When the President of the United States shares a video about the life changing potential of hemp derived CBD on his personal social media platform, it is more than news, it is a cultural shift.

For decades our government lied to us about cannabis. It demonized the plant, waged war on its users, and filled prisons while allowing pharmaceutical companies to flood the nation with addictive and deadly drugs. For over a century we have been fighting uphill, not just for legalization, but for truth, for science, and for the right to heal ourselves naturally.

Now in 2025, the most powerful political figure on Earth is using his own voice and platform to talk about the endocannabinoid system and the science backed benefits of CBD. That is monumental. It is validation for everyone who has fought, been arrested, been silenced, and been dismissed for telling this truth. The President’s video post is already being described as a pivotal moment in cannabis history, and President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social is trending across platforms as advocates celebrate the breakthrough.


The Science Behind the Endocannabinoid System

The video begins by introducing something most people, including many doctors, still know little about, the endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that works as the body’s master regulator, coordinating communication between major systems like the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.

The roots of this discovery go back much further. CBD was first isolated in 1940 by American chemist Roger Adams, but it was Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist, who fully elucidated the chemical structure of CBD and identified its stereochemistry in the 1960s. His pioneering work not only opened the door to modern cannabinoid science but also earned him the title “Godfather of Cannabis Research.” It was this foundation that led to the identification of the endocannabinoid system itself decades later, revealing how cannabinoids interact with our physiology on a fundamental level.

The ECS is now widely recognized as a vital part of human biology, with extensive research supported by the National Institutes of Health. When functioning properly, the ECS acts like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring every section plays in harmony. As we age, the system weakens. That imbalance is linked to inflammation, chronic pain, cognitive decline, sleep problems, and many other conditions associated with aging.

Mainstream medicine often addresses these issues with pharmaceutical band aids, dangerous and addictive drugs that treat symptoms rather than root causes. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise help, but they only partially support the ECS and do so slowly over time.


Hemp Derived CBD: A Game Changer for Aging

Here is where the science gets exciting. As the video explains, the ECS can be restored much more quickly with hemp derived CBD. Strengthening this system naturally helps the body regain balance, reducing pain, improving sleep, lowering stress, slowing disease progression, and even extending healthy lifespan.

It is not theoretical. One in five seniors is already using CBD to manage pain, arthritis, cancer symptoms, sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s, and more. Despite decades of research and acknowledgment from institutions like the National Institutes of Health, most physicians receive no training on the ECS. There are still no FDA standards for CBD products on the market. If that were the case for any other class of medicine, it would be considered malpractice.

The World Health Organization has confirmed CBD’s excellent safety profile and non addictive nature in its critical review report. The result is that millions of older Americans are suffering unnecessarily when a safe and natural solution exists.

Hemp derived CBD is a powerful first step in restoring balance to the endocannabinoid system, but it is only part of the picture. Research shows that full spectrum cannabis extracts, which include a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes, can work even more effectively. Complete concentrated cannabis oil, containing the full spectrum of natural endocannabinoids, may deliver the most profound results for certain patients. Expanding access to these therapies will be essential if we want to unlock the full healing potential of this plant.


The Economic and Social Impact

The video cites a powerful figure. A PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis estimates that fully integrating cannabis into the healthcare system could save the United States nearly 64 billion dollars annually. These savings reflect reduced pharmaceutical dependency, fewer hospitalizations, improved chronic disease outcomes, and enhanced quality of life for aging Americans. You can read more about PwC’s research on healthcare innovation here.

It is a financial argument, but it is also a moral one. Why should our elders endure pain, anxiety, and cognitive decline when nature has given us tools to help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives?


A Call to Action: Finish What the Farm Bill Started

The message concludes by crediting the 2018 Farm Bill, championed by President Trump, for legalizing hemp and laying the groundwork for today’s CBD market. The Farm Bill was just the first step.

Now the call is for bold next moves.

  • Educate doctors about the endocannabinoid system
  • Include CBD under Medicare coverage
  • Provide clear federal standards for CBD quality and dosing

These steps would constitute the most significant senior health reform in modern history, one that would transform aging and cement a powerful legacy for any administration that makes it happen.


What This Means for Future Cannabis Medicine

For those of us who have been in the cannabis community for decades, this is not just another news story. It is a signal that our movement is winning. A conversation that was once criminalized and censored is now being amplified by the President of the United States on his own platform.

It means the science is undeniable. It means the truth can no longer be buried. It means the wall of prohibition is cracking, not just legally, but culturally, scientifically, and politically.

It also means that everything we have been fighting for at 420 Magazine since 1993, education, access, healing, and justice, is finally moving full steam ahead. The President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social moment is proof that science and policy are finally converging.

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New Mexico cannabis operator fined, loses license for alleged BioTrack fraud

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New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.

The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.

Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.

The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.

The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.

Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.

After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.

In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.

The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.

At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.

Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.

Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.

The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:

Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/

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