stdClass Object
(
    [id] => 18169
    [paper_index] => 202511-01-024961
    [title] => BEYOND THE LEAF: EXPLORING PERSPECTIVES ON MEDICAL CANNABIS REGULATION AND TREATMENT ACCESSIBILITY
    [description] => 
    [author] => Princess Alyssa D. Tee
    [googlescholar] => 
    [doi] => https://doi.org/10.36713/epra24961
    [year] => 2025
    [month] => November
    [volume] => 11
    [issue] => 11
    [file] => fm/jpanel/upload/2025/November/202511-01-024961.pdf
    [abstract] => This dissertation, entitled “Beyond the Leaf: Exploring Perspectives on Medical Cannabis Regulation and Treatment Accessibility,” examines the perceptions of key stakeholders on the regulation of medical cannabis and its implications for treatment accessibility in the Philippines. Adopting a qualitative phenomenological design, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with twelve (12) informants, including medical practitioners, legal and enforcement professionals, and patients. Colaizzi’s method of analysis guided the process, wherein significant statements were extracted, meanings formulated, and clustered into themes aligned with the study’s three Statements of the Problem (SOPs).
Findings revealed ten (10) major themes. Under SOP 1, stakeholders expressed widespread support for strict regulation, emphasized the necessity of legal clarity and safeguards, and highlighted the importance of human rights and compassionate access. For SOP 2, treatment accessibility was hindered by bureaucratic processes within the Compassionate Special Permit (CSP), regulatory and institutional gaps, and economic burdens, underscoring the need for local supply systems. SOP 3 identified decision-shaping factors including perceived therapeutic value and evidence-based practice, persistent social stigma and professional risk, institutional readiness and training gaps, and policy fragmentation across agencies.
The study applied Rational Choice Theory, the Health Belief Model, Labeling Theory, and Public Policy Theory to interpret findings, which were corroborated by both local and international literature. A key contribution of this research is the formulation of a proposed Department Order framework that provides concrete policy recommendations for regulating medical cannabis. This framework integrates clinical, legal, and human rights perspectives, positioning the study as a significant evidence base for guiding future legislation, enhancing patient access, and strengthening institutional readiness in the Philippine context.

    [keywords] => Medical Cannabis, Regulation, Treatment Accessibility, Phenomenology, Rational Choice Theory, Health Belief Model, Labeling Theory, Public Policy Theory, Philippines
    [doj] => 2025-11-20
    [hit] => 
    [status] => 
    [award_status] => P
    [orderr] => 68
    [journal_id] => 1
    [googlesearch_link] => 
    [edit_on] => 
    [is_status] => 1
    [journalname] => EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR)
    [short_code] => IJMR
    [eissn] =>  2455-3662 (Online)
    [pissn] => - --
    [home_page_wrapper] => images/products_image/11.IJMR.png
)
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