Pinoy Fear Factor Winner Arrested of Using Marijuana for His ADHD: Is It a Legal Defense?

Jommy Teotico, a Pinoy Fear Factor winner, was arrested for allegedly using marijuana in their residence in Laguna.

However, Teotico countered that he was using marijuana only for his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  He added that he had proof to show that such use was recommended by his psychiatrist (ABS-CBNnews.com, November 11, 2014).

Marijuana is one of the illegal drugs defined in Republic Act Number 9165 or otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002".  Thus,

Cannabis or commonly known as "Marijuana" or "Indian Hemp" or by its any other name. – Embraces every kind, class, genus, or specie of the plant Cannabis sativa L. including, but not limited to, Cannabis americana, hashish, bhang, guaza, churrus and ganjab, and embraces every kind, class and character of marijuana, whether dried or fresh and flowering, flowering or fruiting tops, or any part or portion of the plant and seeds thereof, and all its geographic varieties, whether as a reefer, resin, extract, tincture or in any form whatsoever.

As stated in R.A. No. 9165, the use of marijuana is unlawful.  It is not yet allowed in our jurisdiction.

Although, there was an initiative in the House of Representatives to allow the use of marijuana on medical purposes only, but the same was not yet materialized.  In fact, said initiative was backed and supported by the parents who allegedly allowed their children to use marijuane to treat their illnesses.

In other countries, the use of marijuana is already allowed.  But in the our country, unless and until there is a law allowing the use of it, it remains unlawful and illegal.

Thus, in the case of Teotica, even if he could prove and show that the alleged marijuana was for the treatment of his ADHD, it would not exonerate him of the crime of illegal use of marijuana.

Note: Pictures used herein are from Google and ABS-CBNnews.com respectively.