The 53 Member States of the CND, the UN\u2019s central drug policy-making body, voted to remove cannabis from that Schedule \u2013 where it had been placed for 59 years \u2013 and to which the strictest control measures apply, that generally discouraged its use for medical purposes.<\/p>\n
With a vote of 27 in favour, 25 against, and one abstention, the CND has opened the door to recognizing the medicinal and therapeutic potential of the drug, although its use for non-medical and non-scientific purposes will continue to remain illegal. According to news reports, the decision could drive additional scientific research into the plant\u2019s medicinal properties.<\/p>\n
Intensive preparations
\nBack in January 2019, WHO unveiled six recommendations\u202fsurrounding the listing of cannabis in international drug control treaties. While the proposals were presented for decision by the CND at its March 2019 session, many countries requested more time to study the matter and define their positions, according to news reports. Therefore, the vote followed two years of intensive and detailed consideration.<\/p>\n
Among WHO\u2019s recommendations, it was suggested that cannabidiol (CBD) with 2 percent or less Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the addictive substance) should not be subject to international controls. Member States rejected that recommendation for a variety of reasons, including some Member States arguing that CBD is not currently under international control and there was, thus, no need for action. CBD has taken on a prominent role in wellness therapies in recent years, and sparked a billion-dollar industry.<\/p>\n
Currently, more than 50 countries have adopted medicinal cannabis programmes while Canada, Uruguay and 15 US states have legalized its recreational use, with Mexico and Luxembourg having political debates as to whether to follow that path.<\/p>\n
Where they stand
\nAfter voting, some countries made statements on their stances. Ecuador supported all of WHO\u2019s recommendations and urged that cannabis production, sale and use, have \u201ca regulatory framework that guarantees good practices, quality, innovation and research development\u201d.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the United States voted to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the Single Convention while retaining them in Schedule I, saying it is \u201cconsistent with the science demonstrating that while a safe and effective cannabis-derived therapeutic has been developed, cannabis itself continues to pose significant risks to public health and should continue to be controlled under the international drug control conventions\u201d.<\/p>\n
Voting against, Chile argued, among other things, that \u201cthere is a direct relationship between the use of cannabis and increased chances of suffering from depression, cognitive deficit, anxiety, psychotic symptoms, among others\u201d while Japan stated that the non-medical use of the plant \u201cmight give rise to negative health and social impacts, especially among youth\u201d.<\/p>\n