Mark Anthony Fernandez says he used marijuana to ‘fight cancer’

MANILA, Philippines – Actor Mark Anthony Fernandez’s drug test results are in, and he was found positive for marijuana, but negative for shabu (methamphetamines).(READ: Mark Anthony Fernandez denies owning kilo of marijuana found in car)

According to a report on State of the Nation (SONA), Fernandez was taken to the prosecutor’s office as soon as his test results came in.

There, the Philippine National Police filed 3 charges against him:

• Transportation of illegal drugs
• Possession of illegal drugs and paraphaernalia
• Use of dangerous drugs

According to the RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the transportation of illegal drugs is punishable by life imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 to P10,000,000.

The same is applicable to the possession of illegal drugs if the amount in question is more that 500 grams. Fernandez was found with 1 kilogram of marijuana in his car, along with a smaller, separate amount.

Fernandez, who was caught by police on Monday night, October 3, after a car chase, told SONA that he was using marijuana for medical purposes.

“Alam ko po nalegalize siya halos buong mundo na yata. Tapos medical purposes siya. So ako po, lalo po nung lumbas yung sigarilyo na may picture, kinakabahan po ako magka-cancer, dahil nagka-cancer po tatay ko, ginagamit ko po ‘to para pangontra cancer,” said Fernandez, referring to his late father, Rudy Fernandez.

(I know it’s been legalized in many parts of the world, I think. And for medical purposes. So me, especially ever since they started selling cigarette boxes with pictures as warnings, I’ve been anxious about getting cancer, because my dad had cancer, and so I use marijuana to fight cancer.)

When asked if he was sick at the moment, 37-year-old Fernandez said he’s had rheumatism ever since he was young, and he used to smoke. “So binabawasan ko po yung sigarilyo. Yun po yung ginawa kong pamalit.” (So I’ve lessened my smoking. I switched it out with marijuana.)

“Kaunti lang po yung dala ko nun. Tapos biglang may naglagay po ng isang kilo doon sa kotse ko nung tumigil ako… di ko na maalala po kung sino… Isa po sa humuli sa’kin,” he said.

(I only had a bit with me then. Then all of a sudden, someone put one kilo in my car when I stopped… I don’t remember who it was… it was one of the guys who caught me.)

Angeles City Station 6’s Chief Inspector Francisco Guevearra Jr denied Fernandez’s allegations: “Basta yung sa amin po, legal na trabaho yun, legal na operation.” (For us, it was legal work, it was a legal operation.)

Fernandez is the son of former Parañaque City first district council member and actress Alma Moreno. The actress was seen visiting her son in jail on October 5. – Rappler.com