The arrest of former actor and matinee idol Mark Anthony Fernandez after he was arrested with a transported kilo of marijuana using his car has been a strong debate regarding the legalization of the illegal drug in the country.

Mark Anthony Fernandez explains he was taking the marijuana to prevent cancer, a disease that takes away the life of his actor father, Rudy Fernandez.  According to him, a certain doctor told him to use this substance and that he started using when he was 19.

Marijuana which is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the country’s Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) as a dangerous drug, is believed to have a medical benefits that can help patients with debilitating disease, intense seizures, severe pain and persistent muscle spasms.

Medical marijuana has been legal in 23 states in the US but the legalization of use of marijuana in Colorado in 2014 has been a hot topic of discussion among Filipino lawmakers.  That same year, Isabela Representatives Rodolfo Albano III filed a bill “Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act”, that would allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes only.