(3 minutes read)
· The United Nation Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UNCND) removed cannabis and cannabis resin from the category of the world’s most dangerous drugs
· This could impact the global medical marijuana industry, where some of the African countries have considerable stake
· It does not clear U.N. member nations to legalize marijuana under the international drug control system
The United Nation Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UNCND) removed cannabis and cannabis resin from the category of the world’s most dangerous drugs. This could impact the global medical marijuana industry, where some of the African countries have considerable stake.
The Commission put to vote this proposal after a detailed consideration of complex recommendations during the last two years. WHO submitted in January 2019 to the Commission eight recommendations on cannabis and cannabis-related substances, after a detailed study? The commission considered the detailed study on 3rd December and passed it. Twenty seven countries voted for and 25 against with one abstention to delete cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention. Now, these substances remain in Schedule I of the 1961 Convention. That would mean it will be subjected to all levels of control of the 1961 Convention.
The United Nation Commission on Narcotic Drugs is headquartered in Vienna. In a statement issued, the agency said that it would follow the World Health Organization’s recommendation to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was listed with heroin and several other opioids. The other substance drugs in the Schedule 1V category are cocaine, Fentanyl, morphine, Methadone, opium and oxycodone, the opiate painkiller sold as OxyContin.
The catch is that it does not clear U.N. member nations to legalize marijuana under the international drug control system. Canada and Uruguay have legalized the sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes, but many countries around the world have decriminalized marijuana possession.
The schedules are created based on the drug’s medical utility versus the possible harm that it might cause. Experts say that taking cannabis off the strictest schedule could lead to the loosening of international controls on medical marijuana.
