Not long ago, the idea of legalizing marijuana in the Philippines sounded like a punchline, not a policy. The word “marijuana” still carries with it the weight of stigma, fear, and misunderstanding — thanks to years of it being lumped with the worst of the worst when it came to drugs. But talk to a parent fighting for their epileptic child’s relief, or a doctor frustrated by the limits of what they can prescribe, and a very different story begins to unfold.

Because the truth is we’re not talking about getting high — we’re talking about getting help.

Around the world, cannabis is being used to ease chronic pain, control seizures in children with rare forms of epilepsy, reduce nausea in chemotherapy patients and improve the quality of life for people living with multiple sclerosis. Some studies even show promise in managing anxiety, PTSD and appetite loss in HIV patients. For many, it’s not a miracle cure — but it’s something. And sometimes, something is everything.

Here at home, the law — Republic Act 9165 — is still incredibly strict. Marijuana is listed as a dangerous drug. But tucked inside that law is a sliver of hope: a system that allows for “compassionate use” permits. That means, in theory, patients with life-threatening conditions can apply to use cannabis-based treatments. The problem? The process is so complex and restrictive that hardly anyone even tries. By 2018, only one permit had reportedly been granted. One.

So where do we go from here?

Interestingly, we don’t have to start from scratch. This isn’t just a matter of changing the law — it’s about improving how we implement what already exists. Agencies like the Department of Health, FDA, and PDEA could make the system more humane. They could fast-track research. They could simplify the permit process. They could open up controlled pathways for access through hospitals and licensed doctors. And they can do it while still being strict about safety.

Previous proposals in Congress — like House Bills 180 and 6517 — offered a thoughtful blueprint. These bills imagined tightly regulated medical cannabis centers, with trained physicians and pharmacists, clear safety rules and proper oversight. They weren’t trying to open the floodgates. They were trying to open a lifeline.

This issue isn’t just a policy question — it’s a human one. It’s about parents who want to stop their child’s seizures. Cancer patients who want to sleep without pain. People who are suffering — and who just want a chance.

Maybe it’s time to stop treating them like criminals, and start treating them with compassion. Maybe it’s time we let medicine do what it’s supposed to do: heal.