A 75-year-old American national was arrested on Wednesday evening, Nov. 8, 2023, following the execution of a search warrant on his condominium unit in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

William Lee Matteson, a pensioner from Nebraska, USA, now faces charges related to the alleged cultivation of marijuana plants inside his residence.

Authorities conducted the raid at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, revealing that Matteson was actively cultivating marijuana plants.

Prior to the raid which was live-streamed on Facebook, the elderly American expressed his frustration about his legal troubles with Philippine authorities.

He suggested that his wife might be the informant, mentioning that he “was in the middle of getting an annulment,” a legal process that declares a marriage null and void.

“This is why she’s doing it,” he told the authorities, who claimed to have no idea about his case with his wife.

Confiscated during the anti-illegal drug operation were three grown potted marijuana plants valued at approximately P1,200 ($21), ten seedlings with an estimated market value of P400 ($7), a self-sealing plastic containing dried kush marijuana, and another self-sealing plastic containing three seeds of suspected marijuana plants.

Additionally, an indoor grow kit and equipment, a cellular phone, and various non-drug-related evidence were seized from Matteson’s condominium.

The operation, carried out by elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cebu Provincial Office and personnel from the Abellana Police Station, resulted in Matteson’s arrest.

The seized drug evidence will undergo laboratory analysis and proper disposition, according to PDEA-7.

Leia Alcantara, spokesperson for PDEA-7, revealed that the operation originated from information about Matteson’s alleged indoor marijuana grow kit, supposedly used for personal consumption and distribution to foreign contacts.

A comprehensive three-week buildup and surveillance preceded the operation.

During the raid, Matteson, claiming to take medication for cancer, expressed the necessity of having his medication with him.

“I do take medication every day, and I need to take it with me,” he asserted while being handcuffed.

Matteson maintained that he uses the marijuana plant as part of his medical treatment, citing himself as a “special medical case” who cannot be without a catheter for more than an hour.

The arrest stirred public outrage, particularly among netizens familiar with the medicinal use of cannabis.

Despite the legalization of medical marijuana in the Philippines through Republic Act 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the incident raises questions about the accessibility and understanding of the processes involved in obtaining medical cannabis.

Former Sen. Tito Sotto, principal author of the law, emphasized in 2018 that medical marijuana is allowed under “compassionate use,” although the term itself is not explicitly mentioned in any sections of RA 9165.

Sotto cited a special permit from the Food and Drugs Authority, allowing access to unregistered drugs and medicines not available in the Philippines.

The Department of Health Administrative Order No. 4 s. 1992 recognizes the need for unregistered drugs for terminally or seriously ill patients, allowing special permits for specific cases.

However, the current illegal status of marijuana in the Philippines poses challenges, as there are no registered dispensaries or outlets for its legal procurement.

Netizens rallied in support of Matteson, advocating for the acknowledgment of cannabis’s medical benefits and calling for clearer processes for medical cannabis access.

“Alcoholic beverages are much more dangerous than cannabis,” commented a Facebook user.

“In other countries, medicinal cannabis is allowed under the condition that it should be prescribed by a doctor,” shared another netizen.

“I feel bad for him. He needs that for his health,” expressed another Facebook user.