DO you know that morphine, a drug considered in most areas as illegal substance, is allowed for human consumption for extreme medical cases? Morphine is a very strong painkiller that is prescribed for those who have encountered accidents, those suffering from pain due to cancer, or those who have suffered stroke or heart attack. This seemingly beneficial use of morphine is strictly controlled to avoid the negative side effects such as addiction to the substance.

In the same manner, there are those who advocate for the approval of the medical use of cannabis, or marijuana. They say that it is time that its good side, its medical benefits, be put to better use for the sake of people who suffer from debilitating diseases such as cancer, depression, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.

Right now, there are a few bills that have been submitted for consideration by lawmakers both in the Senate, that of Senator Robinhood Padilla, and the Lower House, those of Representatives Antonio Albano and Pantaleon Alvarez.

Some quarters may still oppose the said bills, and even if they become law, because of issues such as the weakness of the Philippine Government when it already comes to the implementation of laws.

Making this legal will allow those in need to avail of its medical uses, while allowing means to separate illegal users.

It must be emphasized that the issue here is the promotion and utilization of the medical use of cannabis and not for just any use, and especially not for recreational purposes.

Even if the medical use of cannabis will already be allowed, it will still be illegal to use marijuana for other purposes, such as achieving a 'high.'