No, Delta-8 THC is illegal in the Philippines under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165), which classifies all tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs) as prohibited substances regardless of source or isomerization. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) enforces this stance, explicitly rejecting distinctions between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. Local courts have upheld convictions for Delta-8 possession, citing its psychoactive equivalence to banned cannabinoids. Future amendments remain unlikely without legislative reclassification.
Key Regulations for Delta 8 THC in Philippines
- RA 9165 Compliance: All THC isomers, including Delta-8, are categorized as “dangerous drugs” under Section 3(a) of RA 9165, subjecting possession or distribution to penalties ranging from 12 years imprisonment to life sentences.
- PDEA Enforcement Circulars: The PDEA’s 2023 memorandum reiterates that synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids—even if derived from hemp—fall under controlled substances, with Delta-8 explicitly listed as a prohibited analog.
- Customs Prohibitions: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) blocks Delta-8 imports under the Tariff and Customs Code, aligning with PDEA’s drug classification. Attempts to reclassify Delta-8 as a “hemp-derived” product have been rejected by the Department of Health (DOH).