Impression of Selected Criminology Students of Philippine Christian University
Manila towards the Legalization of Marijuana in the Philippines
Submitted to:
Jayson Santelices
Professor
Submitted by:
Albino, Quin Ivan M.
Google Class Code: d2ptkdy
Abstract
This study seeks to ascertain and investigate the legalization of marijuana and the difficulties it
faces in the Philippines' laws and politics. Because of the advancement in the economy, many
nations have been accepting of the legalization of cannabis. However, the Philippines continues
to have doubts about it. The purpose of this study is to answer the question of why it is difficult
to legalize marijuana in the Philippines.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Title ................................................................................................................1
Abstract...........................................................................................................2
Table of Contents.............................................................................................3
Research Paper Introduction..................................................................................4
Background Information
Thesis Statement
Define the Audience
Research Paper Body..............................................................................................5
Literature Review....................................................................................................6
Method.......................................................................................................................7
Results........................................................................................................................8
Discussion........................................................................................................................9
Research Paper Conclusion...............................................................................................10
Bibliography and Appendix....................................................................................................... 11
Research Paper Introduction
Many teenagers and adults regularly use marijuana or cannabis in today's society. Marijuana has
had a significant impact on the lives of us humans, whether it be for therapeutic purposes,
socializing, getting high, or fleeing from depression. Numerous people continue to obtain
cannabis despite the fact that it is a prohibited substance. If the populace does not want to listen,
there is only so much that law enforcement can accomplish. Allowing marijuana to remain illegal
makes little change in the use but has a negative impact on other, more pressing concerns that
need to be resolved. This is true even if marijuana impairs natural brain processes like memory,
coordination, learning, and problem-solving ability.
Background Information
Sen. Robinhood Padilla has recently drawn attention for his efforts to legalize medical marijuana
for compassionate use in the Philippines.
I have been following the legalization process of medicinal marijuana since the House of
Representatives approved the measure in 2017, which was a step toward becoming law despite
the Duterte administration's war on drugs. As a result, this news is not brand-new to me.
Cannabis, sometimes known as marijuana, is permitted in a few nations, including Canada,
Colorado, and Uruguay. The production and sale of marijuana are no longer illegal in Thailand,
making it the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. Even now, especially in the post-pandemic
era, Thais celebrate a cannabis festival that surely draws tourists and stimulates their economy.
Several of the substances we use regularly have the potential to develop habits, much like
marijuana. Alcohol, cigarettes, and coffee are a few of these. They are "gateway drugs" whose
usage may result in reliance on a more dangerous substance like cocaine or heroin. (Teresa
Bandiola,2022)
Marijuana is a greenish-gray combination made up of the dried flowers of the Cannabis sativa
plant. It is also known as weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane, and many other slang
words. Cannabis can also be used to make tea and, especially when it is sold or used for
medicinal purposes, is frequently mixed into foods (edibles) like brownies, cookies, or candies.
Some people smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints, pipes, water pipes (also
known as bongs), or blunts (marijuana rolled in cigar wraps). Marijuana consumption through
vaporizers is also growing. Stronger varieties of marijuana include sinsemilla, which is derived
from specifically raised female plants, and concentrated resins with high concentrations of the
drug's psychoactive components, such as waxy budder, hard shatter, and hash oil with a honey-
like consistency. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2023)
Cannabis can be used as an ingredient in food, drink, tinctures, or topicals in addition to being
smoked or vaped by many people.
Your body may react to cannabis differently depending on how you consume it. Cannabis smoke
immediately enters your bloodstream and travels to your brain and other organs when you breath
it into your lungs. Within seconds to minutes, the effects could start to take effect. Cannabis-
infused foods and beverages require the components to go through your digestive tract and liver
before they can enter your bloodstream. The effects could appear between minutes to hours.
The impact of cannabis on the body is still up for dispute. People describe a range of negative
and positive physical and psychological outcomes, including damage and discomfort as well as
pain alleviation and relaxation.
Cannabis' active components are cannabinoids. In nature, they can't be found anywhere else.
The effects of cannabis that make people feel drunk are caused by THC. Additionally, it may be
used as medicine to treat ailments like:
• pain
• nausea
• decreased appetite
• insomnia
CBD has no euphoric effects. It may be used as medicine to treat ailments including epilepsy and
anxiety. (Ann Pietrangelo, 2023)
According to the harmful Drugs Board, marijuana is still illegal and harmful in the Philippines
even though a UN commission lowered its classification.
In recognition of the plant's therapeutic potential, the UN Commission on Narcotics substances
recently removed cannabis, often known as marijuana, from its list of the most hazardous
substances. Cannabis was included on Schedule 4 of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, along with heroin and other lethal, addictive opioids, for over 60 years. It is now under
Schedule 1 as per the World Health Organization's guideline, still subject to limitations,
especially on its usage for non-medical and non-scientific objectives. (Eimor Santos, CNN
Philippines 2020)
According to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) survey results from 2019 and large volume
seizures in 2021, marijuana has overtaken shabu as the most commonly used drug in the nation.
However, shabu is still a top drug of concern because it has a more detrimental impact on the
minds and lives of its users and is more lucrative for drug dealers, the official pointed out.
According to PDEA, marijuana made up 83% of the 11 tons of recorded total bulk weight of
drug seizures in 2021, with crystal meth, or "shabu," coming in far second at 17%. According to
the most recent data available from DDB, marijuana is the harmful drug that is most frequently
abused, accounting for 57% of cases, followed by shabu at 35%.
This could mean that "interception and enforcement efforts are effective; and cannabis
cultivators and distributors are stepping up their drug trafficking activities to meet surging
demand," Villanueva said.
The PDEA official continued, saying that there was a rising acceptability of marijuana as a
narcotic and that it was wise to conclude that there was a plentiful supply due to the high market
demand. As seen by the large amount of marijuana that law enforcement has seized, detection
chances increase when the supply is higher.”(John Eric Mendoza, 2022)
Thesis Statement
Impression of Selected Criminology Students of Philippine Christian University
Manila towards the Legalization of Marijuana in the Philippines
Define The Audience
Literature Review
The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, Republic Act No. 6425, and the Philippine Constitution
prohibit the use of marijuana or cannabis, the second-most popular narcotic in the country after
methamphetamine, or "shabu" as it is commonly known. A restriction on the use of cannabis
therapeutic goods resulted from concerns about abuse dangers. Due to several restrictions and
regulations, marijuana is still illegal in the Philippines as of right now, which makes it difficult
for scientists and researchers to conduct thorough studies on the potential advantages and
efficacy of marijuana when used for medicinal purposes in our nation., Additionally, if it comes
from another country that produces it, it might be highly expensive and difficult for those who
genuinely need to utilize it as medicine. According to (Kogan and Mechoulam, 2007), marijuana
has demonstrated its ability to treat a wide range of conditions, including glaucoma, nausea,
epilepsy, asthma, cancer, chronic pain, cardiovascular disorders, schizophrenia, and many more.
It also claims to help and treat many patients who needed prevention and, in particular, as a cure
for their illnesses. I believe medicinal marijuana should be allowed in the Philippines because
cannabinoids are extremely useful and have the ability to enhance our nation's clinical business.
Because marijuana is addictive and people struggle to control their drug use because it affects
our mood and the way we think, there is a common misconception that using it will only have
negative effects on users. However, Meier (2018) argues that despite studies suggesting that
recreational cannabis dependence could harm a person's cognitive functioning. She made this
claim in her recently published journal article. Another unique observation about marijuana is
that, in accordance with (Wilkinson, 2013), legalizing marijuana for recreational use may have
unfavorable effects on society, and there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the use of
marijuana for therapeutic purposes. Nevertheless, numerous studies have demonstrated that
marijuana has the potential to treat a variety of medical conditions.
According to Reynolds (2015), who conducted a study on the subject, regular, moderate
marijuana use can help prevent or delay the onset, progression, and other symptoms of
Alzheimer's disease as well as other neurodegenerative conditions. For another example,
Reynolds (2015) claimed that marijuana has anti-cancer properties and can be used to treat basal
cell carcinoma or other cancers. He came to the conclusion that marijuana has important
therapeutic advantages.
White (2016) asserts that the U.S. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has acknowledged that
marijuana kills cancer cells, citing research and mouse trials that show cannabinoids can kill
cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. It has been discovered that the chemical in marijuana is
effective in treating breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and a number of other types of the
disease. Virginia Commonwealth University carried out another research on epileptic mice to see
if cannabis could lessen epileptic episodes. The study's findings demonstrated that marijuana can
be used to treat seizures by stopping them in roughly 10 hours. They discovered that
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduced the seizures by binding the brain cells in charge of
regulating relaxation and excitability. Additionally, a study that was published in a publication
looked at the impact of regular marijuana usage on those with severe forms of Crohn's disease.
Based on the results, marijuana may be able to treat individuals who are suffering from
inflammatory bowel illnesses because the plant produced positive benefits for those people
(Weller, 2013).
Cannabis has both positive and negative effects. Positive benefits include "relief of subjective
pain, regulation of mood, relaxation, and suppression of nausea," among many more. Damage to
the lungs, on the other hand, is a known issue with marijuana. The majority of researchers have
come to the conclusion that five cigarettes are equivalent to one joint of marijuana. As a result, it
may result in serious health problems including lung cancer. Serious immune system issues may
result from it. Additionally, it makes its users lassitude and lazy (Steve Sussman).
With varied percentages, both men and women are subjected to sexual and physical abuse
throughout their lives. Men seem to be more likely to be physically assaulted, whereas women
are more likely to be sexually assaulted. The victims' personality are negatively impacted by
such encounters. If alcohol and substances like marijuana are used regularly, violent
victimization is more likely to occur. For instance, Martino states that one of the main factors
contributing to intimate partner violence victimization is substance abuse.
Marijuana use varies depending on place and city. To highlight the poor policy of universities in
this area, an interesting study was undertaken to examine how colleges have historically been
venues for open marijuana use and how college students are more susceptible to using the drug.
Attending college appears to be a significant risk factor for marijuana use. To look into the
matter, 130 public schools' data from 1977 to 2015 were chosen. According to Richard A.
Miech, the purpose of the study was to determine whether college students are more prone to
establish a marijuana use habit than their age-matched peers who do not attend college.
Method
The method is divided into several sections the research design used, respondents and locale of
the study, sampling technique, data gathering instruments, data gathering procedures, and
statistical tools.
Research design
This study employed descriptive research methods. The study concerned with Impression of
Selected Criminology Students of Philippine Christian University Manila Towards the
Legalization of Marijuana in the Philippines used the descriptive method research as a fact-
finding study with sufficient and precise interpretation of the discoveries since the present.
Research sampling
The sources of the data are the selected 1st year criminology students of Philippine Christian
University Manila S.Y 2022-2023. Quota sampling was use in this research. The researcher gives
online questionnaire with used of google form with a 2 question.
Research Instrument
All Item answered using a 4-point scale format ranging from Strongly agree to Strongly Disagree
to know the best Impression of Selected Criminology Students of Philippine Christian University
Manila towards the Legalization of Marijuana in the Philippines.
Data Gathering Procedure and Process
The Respondents answered the demographic profile and the 2 item to know the Impression of
Selected Criminology Students of Philippine Christian University Manila towards the
Legalization of Marijuana in the Philippines. Each item is answerable by Strongly agree, Agree,
Strongly Disagree, Disagree. The answering took 1-2 minutes after the respondent answered the
researcher gathered all the data and compute the percentage using the formula presented in the
research.
Statistical Treatment
The researcher analyzed the data using average weighted mean the data taken from the
questionnaire by WAM formula
Percentage:
Formula
%=(f/n) x (100)
Where:
% - is the percentage
f- is the frequency
N is the total of number of respondents
100 is the constant value
X is a weighted mean
Σfx = sum of all products
The following is adapted to qualify the respondent’s answer to each item
scale Equivalent Descriptive Rating
4 Strongly Agree
3 Agree
2 Strongly Disagree
1 Disagree
Scale Equivalent Descriptive Rating
6 Strongly Agree
1 Agree
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
RESEARCH PAPER CONCLUSION
In conclusion, majority of the respondents Agree in the statement of Allow the use and sale of
marijuana for medical purposes Meanwhile in the statement Should the use of marijuana for
medical purposes got a response Strongly Agree, Moreover lack of education causes people to
misinterpret the legalization of cannabis without clear limits, and incorrect information will
cause people to abuse marijuana by consuming more of it than is recommended and believing
that it can be grown and made available for free. Due to marijuana's intoxicating effects, which
presume a decline in the educational attainment of nonsmokers or non-consumers of marijuana,
consuming a high dosage amount of marijuana or cannabis tends to be a problem mentally for a
person. In terms of poor consumption, this theme would entail taking more cannabis than the
precise dosage recommended by the doctor. A person who gets violent as a result of this
experiences changes in attitude and behavior. Additionally, it affects our ability to think of
someone. It is almost akin to alcohol' intoxications, but it differs since marijuana intoxication
gives high vibes to individuals that consume it for self-satisfaction. Behavioral health problems.
As I discussed previously, poor consumption would result in a person's negative actions,
attitudes, and thoughts. Legalizing cannabis could affect people's mental capacities if they
misuse it or do not use it as prescribed, which could result in aggressive behavior that makes
them more likely to commit crimes like murder, kidnapping, and rape.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND APPENDIX
Bandiola, T. (2022). Legalizing medical marijuana in the Philippines: A pharmacist’s perspective.
https://opinion.inquirer.net/157163/legalizing-medical-marijuana-in-the-philippines-a-
pharmacists-perspective
(National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2023) .Cannabis (Marijuana) Research Report What is
marijuana?.
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-marijuana
Pietrangelo, A. (2023). The effects of cannabis on your
body.https://www.healthline.com/health/effects-of-cannabis-on-body
Santos, E. CNNPhilippines2020). Gov’t reminds public: Marijuana still banned in PH despite
UN reclassification.https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/12/9/marijuana-illegal-
philippines-united-nations-reclassification-.html
Mendoza, E. 2022). Marijuana now top choice of drug users—PDEA.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1573666/marijuana-now-the-top-choice-of-drug-users-pdea
The Aspects of Legalization of Marijuana in the Philippines. (2022, Jun 16). Edubirdie.
Retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/the-aspects-of-legalization-of-
marijuana-in-the-philippines/
Why The Philippines should Legalize Medical Marijuana. (2022, July 08). Edubirdie. Retrieved
June 22, 2023, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/why-the-philippines-should-legalize-
medical-marijuana/
Why The Philippines should Legalize Medical Marijuana. (2022, July 08). Edubirdie. Retrieved
June 22, 2023, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/why-the-philippines-should-legalize-
medical-marijuana/
