REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 223

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ENRICO A. PINEDA and
MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Hemp is a miracle plant with a multitude of beneficial uses. It is unfortunate that
ithas been equated or otherwise mistaken to be the drug commonly known as marijuana.
The truth is, hemp is not marijuana and it has never been and will never be as destructive
and addictive as marijuana.

This bill seeks to underline the significant and beneficial industrial uses of hemp
which contrary to beliefs, do not contain the addictive element that its prohibited drug of
a brother is known for. On the other hand, hemp is a good source of fuel, fiber, food and
medicine as in any other cash crop that is commonly cultivated among farms around the
world. Its stalks produces what may be considered the strongest fiber in the world which
is being utilized for the production of textiles, papers and even construction materials.
Its seeds are a rich source of oil which is used for industrial products such as plastics,
paints, inks and fuel and even soaps and cosmetics.

The cultivation of hemp as a cash crop is legally recognized in almost thirty
countries around the world including China and our Southeast Asian neighbor of
Thailand. In 2011 alone, global production of raw hemp amounted to 250 Million British
Pounds. If we account the amount of trading involved with its by-products, it should
increase exponentially. And itis in this context that the Philippines, with its rich and vast
farmlands, can capitalize on the potential of hemp as a cash crop which can significantly
increase the livelihood of our farmers. It is imperative that an in-depth and
comprehensive study of the viability of hemp production under the Philippine context
be conducted.

Early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ENRYCO A.‘\PINEDA MICHAEY ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD
1PACMAN 1PACMAN


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _1223

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ENRICO A. PINEDA and
MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

AN ACT
LEGALIZING THE CULTIVATION OF HEMP AS AN INDUSTRIAL CROP
THEREBY ESTABLISHING THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP RESEARCH CENTER
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Industrial Hemp Research Act
of 2019”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to promote the growth
and development of agriculture as an industry and a source of livelihood to farmers by
providing them with viable farming options which would necessarily improve the
agribusiness investment climate, thereby increasing the competence and efficiency of the
sector as one of the primary backbones of the Philippine economy.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined as follows:

a. Industrial Hemp. The term “industrial hemp” shall mean the plant
Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not
percent on a dry weight basis.

b. Center. The term “center” shall mean Industrial Hemp Research Center
which will be established under this Act.

c. Hemp Cultivation. Hemp Cultivation shall mean the act of planting and
gathering of raw industrial hemp.

d. Hemp Processing. Hemp Processing shall mean the act of converting raw
industrial hemp into by-products. This shall not include the processing of
industrial hemp for purposes that will constitute a violation of the
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

SECTION 4. Industrial Hemp Research Center. There shall be established an Industrial
Hemp Research Center under the Department of Agriculture (DA) which shall conduct
the appropriate scientific studies and researches that would and processing of its
industrial by-products.


Under the supervision of the center, state universities and colleges engaged in
agricultural programs shall undertake an agricultural pilot study on the viability of
growing and cultivating industrial hemp.

SECTION 5. Allowable Industrial Hemp Cultivation and Hemp Processing. No
person, partnership, corporation, association or institution may engage in the cultivation
and processing of industrial hemp unless allowed by the center.

The center, in coordination with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), shalll establish
strict guidelines on the proper cultivation, application and uses of industrial hemp.

The center in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
shall establish an enforcement and monitoring unit which shall strictly monitor persons,
partnerships, associations and institutions engaged in industrial hemp cultivation and
processing.

As far as practicable, only agricultural lands not utilized for the production of rice,
cor, sugar and other critical agricultural products may be used for the cultivation of
industrial hemp.

SECTION 6. Industrial Hemp Marketing and Promotion. The center in coordination
with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall engage in the marketing and
promotion of industrial hemp and its by-products. The center, DA and DTI shall ensure
the availability of market linkage for industrial hemp and its by- products.

SECTION 7. Liability for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Nothing in
this law shall be construed to allow any person, partnership, corporation or institution to
cultivate and process industrial hemp other that allowed by the center nor shall it be
allowed under this law to cultivate any plant or process any substance which are
prohibited under the Republic Act No. 9165 otherwise known as the”Dangerous Drugs
Act of 2002” and its amendments.

Any commission of an act prohibited under this law shall be prosecuted in
accordance with the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. If the violation or
offense is committed by a corporation, partnership, association or other juridical entities,
the penalty shall be imposed upon the directors, officers, employees or other officials or
persons therein responsible for the offense.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative
orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
and effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
its complete publication in the official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general

circulation.

Adopted,