A United Nations agency has voted to remove cannabis from the list of the world’s most dangerous drugs.
The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs on Wednesday accepted a World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
In a vote that Kenya opposed, the commission members voted 27-25 to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which allows national bans for drugs with particularly dangerous properties. Only Ukraine abstained from voting.
“This formal, and long overdue recognition of the medical use of cannabis (including in herbal form) should facilitate much-needed medical provision and further research,” the UN agency’s statement said.
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Other nations that voted with Kenya are Nigeria, Japan, Russia, Togo, Egypt, China, Cuba, Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivore, Iraq and Libya.
Among African countries, only South Africa and Morocco voted for the removal of cannabis from Schedule IV.
Other countries that voted Yes are Jamaica, Mexico, Canada, Germany, France, Colombia, United Kingdom, Thailand, Australia,…