Last year, just a few days after winning the election, President Rodrigo Duterte discussed his stance on medical marijuana in several press interviews. He claimed to be personally supportive of legalizing cannabis for medical reasons. When asked by a TV reporter, Duterte had this to say, “Medicinal marijuana, yes, because it is really an ingredient of modern medicine.” He continued, “There are medicines being developed, or are now in the market, that contain marijuana for medical purposes.” However, Mr. Duterte also said that he would demand strict regulatory processes to ensure that only those who really need cannabis would have access to it. He is certainly not in favor of legalizing it recreationally. Two years ago, 24 percent of the House of Representatives, or 70 congressional representatives, endorsed the original bill legalizing medical marijuana. It underwent revision and is now the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, or simply House Bill …