UN Commission Reclassifies Cannabis

Recommendation

5/6 June 2024

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The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) of the United Nations (UN) has decided to reclassify cannabis. In doing so, the Commission has followed a recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

UN follows WHO recommendation on the classification of cannabis

According to recommendations of the WHO (2019), cannabis flowers and hashish should be removed from the list of the most dangerous drugs in Schedule IV of the Single Convention, and remain only on the list of less dangerous drugs in Schedule I. The list of most dangerous substances listed cannabis and cannabis resin in a group together with heroin and other opioids, which are not only considered "addictive" but also "particularly harmful" and of "limited medical or therapeutic value".

Cannabis is now still listed as a strictly controlled substance, but in a lower subgroup - together with cocaine and methadone.

Decision on the classification of cannabidiol (CBD)?

According to the recommendation of the WHO, CBD preparations should be completely removed from the Single Convention as long as the THC content does not exceed 0.2 percent. However, this was not adopted by the UN in the 63rd session.

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) had recently passed a judgment on this. According to the CJEU, CBD cannot be considered an "addictive substance". According to the current state of scientific knowledge, CBD, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), does not appear to have psychotropic effects or harmful effects on human health. 

Further information is available on the UN news website and at the next "GMP for Cannabis" conference scheduled for 14-16 June 2021.