UN Recognizes Medical Value of Cannabis

In a historic decision with global implications for drug policy, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has reclassified cannabis to recognize its medical value. The fifty-three member states of the CND voted 27 to 25 with one abstention in favor of adopting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations to remove cannabis and its resin from the most restricted international category, Schedule IV. The United States of America voted in favor of the change.

Under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, Schedule IV drugs are classified as highly dangerous substances of abuse with no therapeutic value. This classification corresponds with Schedule I under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act of 1970. The WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) began a pre-review of the science and policies related to medical cannabis. 

As an independent, scientific advisory body, the ECDD was able to conduct a rigorous, evidence-based, multi-year review that resulted in the WHO recommending to the UN that cannabis and its resin be removed from Schedule IV.

International drug control treaties allow their parties to ban or limit the manufacture or import of the most dangerous substances. Under the 1961 convention, Schedule IV is reserved for drugs that are particularly liable to abuse and harm.

"Such liability is not offset by substantial therapeutic advantages," the U.S. Justice Department states in its manual to comply with the treaties. With cannabis now classified differently, the calculus for studying its potential benefits is now likely to change. The decision could drive additional scientific research into the plant’s medicinal benefits.

The CND decision to reclassify puts pressure on United States federal agencies and elected officials to reconsider the 50-year-old law on cannabis, which does not recognize the differences between medical and recreational use and makes activities authorized by state medical cannabis programs federal crimes.

According to the Controlled substance Act, In determining into which schedule a drug or other substance should be placed, or whether a substance should be decontrolled or rescheduled, certain factors are required to be considered. These factors are listed in Section 201 (c), [21 U.S.C. § 811 (c)] of the CSA as follows:

(1) Its actual or relative potential for abuse.
(2) Scientific evidence of its pharmacological effect, if known.
(3) The state of current scientific knowledge regarding the drug or other substance.
(4) Its history and current pattern of abuse.
(5) The scope, duration, and significance of abuse.
(6) What, if any, risk there is to the public health.
(7) Its psychic or physiological dependence liability.
(8) Whether the substance is an immediate precursor of a substance already controlled under this subchapter.

Proceedings to add, delete, or change the schedule of a drug or other substance may be initiated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or by a petition from any interested party, including:

  • The manufacturer of a drug

  • A medical society or association

  • A pharmacy association

  • A public interest group concerned with drug abuse

  • A state or local government agency

  • An individual citizen

What can you do to help? Based on the U.N ruling, if you feel compelled to act feel free to start a petition to get cannabis rescheduled from the Controlled Substance Act. You can also call your local or state representatives in the Senate. You can find information about how to contact your elected officials here. This issue should be a topic of discussion as we look toward the upcoming sessions. Please continue to educate yourself and help end the stigma.

For more information check out these sources:

U.S. Mission UNVIE | 2 December, 2020 | Topics: Statements | Tags: CND. CND: U.S. Explanation of Vote on Changes in the Scope of Control of Cannabis and Cannabis-Related Substances. 2 Dec. 2020, vienna.usmission.gov/cnd-explanation-of-vote-on-changes-in-the-scope-of-control-of-cannabis-and-cannabis-related-substances/.

Current Scheduling Recommendations. www.unodc.org/unodc/en/commissions/CND/Mandate_Functions/current-scheduling-recommendations.html.

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