By: Ben R. Rosario
Congressmen pushing for the passage of the legalization of the use of medical cannabis welcomed moves in the National Basketball Association to lift the ban on medical marijuana for players.
Forward-center Karl Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves and former Commissioner David Stern recently issued public statements backing access to medical cannabis for players representing US cities where the substance is legal.
Towns, who aspired to become a doctor before being lured to the more lucrative professional basketball, said he has “seen first-hand the benefits of medical marijuana” on people facing painful physical ailment and even to autistic persons.
Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano, a senior member of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments, cheered the statements of top professional athletes and game managers but pointed out that recreational use of marijuana should still be banned.
“I know they’re supporting medicinal marijuana for pain alleviation but I don’t agree if people will mix it with recreational cannabis,” said Albano.
Albano is the principal author of House Bill No. 6517 providing for compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis and expanding research into its medicinal properties.
