The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) recently reclassified out of the most dangerous category of drugs.
Key takeaways
The CND has decided to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
Earlier, cannabis was listed alongside deadly, addictive opioids, including heroin.
Now, it is removed from the strictest control schedules that even discouraged its use for medical purposes.
The removal has opened the door to recognizing the medicinal and therapeutic potential of the commonly-used but still largely illegal recreational drug.
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.
Twenty-seven of the CND’s 53 Member States — including India, the USA and most European nations — voted “Yes” on the motion to delete cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention.
Under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, and use of cannabis is a punishable offence.
