UN Commission No Longer Considers Cannabis One of the Most Dangerous Drugs
Reclassifying the narcotic following WHO recommendations on marijuana and its derivatives.
In a monumental decision, the United Nations Commission took a number of decisions in leading the way cannabis is internationally regulated. Reviewing a series of recommendations from the World Health Organization regarding marijuana and its derivatives, the UN Commission has reclassified the narcotic.
Cannabis has now been removed from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where the drug was listed as a deadly, addictive opioid alongside heroin. The important move to remove cannabis from the strictest control schedule it was placed in 29 years ago followed a vote by the 53 Member States in the Commission.
The historic vote of 27 in favor, 25 against, and one abstention now pushes the drug to be recognized for its medicinal and therapeutic potential as it leaves the strict schedule that discouraged medical use.
Currently, more than 50 counties now offer medicinal cannabis programs, while Canada, Uruguay and 15 US states have already legalized the drug for recreational use. Reports are also noting that the UN Commission’s decision could drive scientific research into the plant’s medicinal properties and add more fuel to the already flourishing billion-dollar industry.
Ambassador Khan @ambmansoorkhan, @CND_tweets Chair, opens the 63rd reconvened session – starting with the voting on @WHO scheduling recommendations on cannabis and cannabis-related substances @UNODC @UN_Vienna. Webcast: https://t.co/KMteoWuPpF pic.twitter.com/HOdQvhcZ8X
— CND (@CND_tweets) December 2, 2020
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