Press release — History made today: UN recognizes medical cannabis

After 60 years of status quo, 3 years of scientific review by WHO and 2 years of diplomatic discussions, today, the United Nations finally withdrew cannabis from Schedule IV of the Single Convention –the “prohibition schedule”

The non-profit FAAAT has been actively engaged since 2015 to ensure cannabis is taken out of Schedule IV

PRESS RELEASE

U.N. revokes 60-year ban – declares cannabis legitimate medicine

BREAKING NEWS – Today the United Nations took the bold step of removing cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 drug Convention treaty [1], 6 decades after its placement, recognizing the therapeutic value of this century-old medicinal plant and no longer considering it as “particularly liable to abuse and to produce ill effects.” The vote followed an independent scientific assessment undertaken by some of our world’s leading experts, convened by WHO in 2017-2018, where evidence and testimonials from all corners of the world were reviewed. [1]

The move is even more important when you consider that cannabis was placed into Schedule IV without ever having been subject to any scientific assessment. Schedule IV for cannabis is a relic of the most extreme international drug laws inherited from 1950s morals and is representative of long discredited value systems connected to racism, intolerance, disrespect for indigenous peoples and cultures that were the hallmark of the colonial age.

The WHO has the sole responsibility in the treaty to issue these recommendations: today’s vote by governments gathered at the UN was required to pass them into international law. The removal from Schedule IV is, therefore, phenomenal news for millions of patients around the world and a historical victory of science over politics.[2][3]

In addition to the removal from Schedule IV, beyond our expectations, WHO proposed an ambitious plan to harmonize and embed flexibility into the treaty framework for the access and availability of cannabis medicines. WHO endeavoured to create space for governments to adjust their national policies to fit their needs.

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