The United Nations Commission (UN) approved the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) to remove cannabis from the category of the most dangerous drugs in the world and can be used for medical purposes.
In a vote conducted by the Narcotics Drug Commission (CND) by 53 member countries, 27 votes expressed support for allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes and 25 votes raised their objections and one vote abstained. A proposal to remove marijuana from the list of most dangerous drugs has been proposed over the past 59 years.
Experts say that the vote will not have an immediate impact on loosening international controls because the government still has jurisdiction over how to classify marijuana.
However, many countries consider this toward a global convention as a guide, and the recognition of the United Nations is a symbolic victory for supporters of changing drug policy.
“This is a big and historical victory for us. We can’t expect more,” independent researcher for drug policy, Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli, said as quoted by the New York Times.
The CND agreement opens the door to the development of potential medicinal treatments and therapies, although in most countries the use of cannabis for medical purposes is still illegal. On the other hand, this change could be an effort to legalize marijuana around the world.
Citing the UN’s official website, the decision this time could also encourage scientific research to uncover the medicinal properties of cannabis and act as a catalyst for countries to legalize it for medical purposes and reconsider laws on recreational use.
The WHO’s key recommendation since January 2019 was to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on narcotics – which included it on the list of dangerous and addictive opioids such as heroin.
WHO classifies cannabidiol (CBD) as a non-intoxicating compound that has played an important role in health therapy in recent years.
Currently more than 50 countries have used marijuana for temporary medicine such as in Canada, Uruguay, and 15 US states that have legalized it for recreational use. Meanwhile Mexico and Luxembourg will follow to legalize recreational use of marijuana.
The medical use of marijuana and its derivatives such as cannabidiol (CBD) and nonintozxicating compounds has increased in recent years.
Numerous studies have shown that using CBD can protect the nervous system and relieve seizures, pain, anxiety, and inflammation. A number of products containing marijuana include creams, serums, sodas, and juices.
