A marijuana plant in Vancouver, Canada, on October, 17, 2018. Don MacKinnon, AFP/File

MANILA - Malacañang said Monday it does not see President Rodrigo Duterte having a problem with the recent landmark decision of the Dangerous Drugs Board to approve the use of cannabidiol (CBD), a pain reliever containing cannabis to treat epilepsy.

Speaking to reporters, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said that though he has to ask for the Chief Executive’s thoughts on the matter, Duterte has expressed his support for the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

“Ever since 'yon naman ang sinasabi ni Presidente. Kung medical, okay lang sa kaniya,” Panelo said.

(Ever since, it's what the President had been saying. If it's medical, he is approve of it.)

The spokesman made the statement even as the President made a contrary remark in March 2019 when he said that the use of medical marijuana would not be approved "during his time."

“Pero sinabi niya rin 'pag kailangan na kailangan sa ikabubuhay ng isang tao at merong scientific findings o medical findings na puwede 'yon, hindi siya kokontra. Siguro case to case,” Panelo said.

(But he also said that if it will save lives and there's scientific findings of its efficacy, he will not oppose it. Maybe, it's case to case.)