The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), in its 63rd session on December 2, 2020, removed cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs — where it was listed alongside deadly, addictive opioids, including heroin.
- Interestingly, India has voted in favour to remove cannabis and its resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
- The CND’s 53 Member States voted to removed cannabis – where it had been placed for 59 years – from the strictest control schedules, that even discouraged its use for medical purposes.
How the re-classification impact?
- With an historic 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 commonly-used but still largely illegal recreational drug.
- Moreover, the decision could also drive additional scientific research into the plant’s long-heralded medicinal properties and act as catalyst for countries to legalize the drug for medicinal use, and reconsider laws on its recreational use.
(Source: UN)
