Preamble
WHEREAS, the volume of marijuana apprehended by law enforcement officers and men appears to confirm the observation that the illegal growing, cultivation and production of marijuana plants remain unchecked; WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies tasked with the enforcement of the Dangerous Drugs Act claim that the proliferation of "marijuana plantations" is mainly attributable to the failure of the Dangerous Drugs Act to penalize the possession of marijuana seeds which are the very source of marijuana plants; WHEREAS, the view that the Dangerous Drugs Act fails to penalize the possession of marijuana seeds has been confirmed by the Court of Appeals in its decision in the Noises Padua case which, in acquitting the accused, rules that the seeds of marijuana are not embraced in the definition of "Indian Hemp" as provided in the said act; WHEREAS, it is imperative that the possession of marijuana seeds be penalized to provide a deterrent to, or check the proliferation of "marijuana plantations”. NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree as follow: