WHO recommends UN reclassification of cannabis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that the United Nations (UN) remove cannabis from Category IV, the most restrictive of the table of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, signed by countries around the world.

In letter sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, on the 24th of January, the WHO states that the proposals will be forwarded to the Commission on Drugs and Narcotics (CND) of the UN. Initially, the WHO recommendations were expected to be released in Vienna in December 2018, but the announcement was delayed for unknown reasons.

The reclassification of cannabis could already be voted on by the 53 member states in March, at the annual meeting of the CND. However, the waiting period that has elapsed since December waiting for the recommendations of the Expert Committee on Drugs and Dependencies (ECDD) may delay this discussion to 2020, so that member states can analyze the report and position themselves on the vote. .

What changes ?
The WHO is making it clear that cannabidiol (CBD)-focused preparations containing no more than 0,2% THC “should not be under international control”. Previously, CBD was not provided for in international conventions, but this new recommendation is intended to make references to CBD even clearer.

Cannabis and cannabis resin
The report recommends that cannabis and cannabis resin "be eliminated from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs." This Annex IV is the most restrictive category and includes hazardous substances with extremely limited or no medical value. If this recommendation is followed, cannabis as well as cannabis resin will remain in Appendix I.

Dronabinol (delta-9-THC) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC isomers)
The report recommends that dronabinol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC and its isomers) be “deleted from Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971) and added to Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)”. These recommendations would simplify classification by grouping all forms of THC into the same category as cannabis and cannabis resin. The dangers associated with THC are similar to those of cannabis and cannabis resin, hence the option to lump them together in the same category, the report noted, comparing the reclassification of cocaine to the same category as coca leaf and morphine in the same category. opium category. In the case of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol isomers, the movement would also simplify and bring consistency. "Due to the chemical similarity of each of the six isomers of delta-9-THC, it is very difficult to differentiate any one of them from delta-9-THC using standard chemical analysis methods," the report says.

Cannabis extracts and tinctures
The report recommends that cannabis extracts and tinctures be “excluded from Schedule I of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs”. The Committee recommended excluding this category from the 1961 Convention because extracts and tinctures cover “various preparations with a varying concentration of delta-9 THC”, some of which are non-psychoactive and have “promising therapeutic applications”.

Cannabidiol (CBD) preparations
ECDD had already finalized its critical review of pure CBD, recommending that it not be programmed within drug control conventions. However, doubts remained about CBD preparations containing some THC, and the report clarified its position: “The Committee recommended that a footnote be added to Schedule I of the 1961 Single Convention on Drugs and Narcotics to include the following: “Preparations containing predominantly cannabidiol and not more than 0,2% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol are not under international control”.

Pharmaceutical preparations of cannabis with THC
The Committee further notes that there are currently two main types of medicines containing delta-9-THC: those containing delta-9-THC and CBD, and preparations containing only delta-9-THC as the active compound. In view of this, the Committee recommended not to include these drugs in the restrictive categories of the 1961 Annex I or Annex II of the 1971 Convention. Instead, the less restrictive Schedule III of the 1961 Convention was suggested: “The Committee recommended that preparations containing THC, produced by chemical synthesis or as a cannabis preparation, are composed as pharmaceutical preparations with one or more ingredients and in such a way that the THC cannot be recovered by readily available means or in a yield that poses a risk to public health. ”

Read the full report here:

https://www.scribd.com/embeds/398703176/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=false&access_key=key-k6CJsr0xdGEoddFJekDJ

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Antonio João Costa

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I am one of the directors of CannaReporter, which I founded together with Laura Ramos. I am from the unique Island of Madeira, where I currently reside. While I was in Lisbon at FCUL studying Physical Engineering, I became involved in the national hemp and cannabis scene and participated in several associations, some of which I am still a member of. I follow the global industry and especially legislative advances regarding the different uses of cannabis.

I can be contacted by email at joao.costa@cannareporter.eu

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