UN removes cannabis from the list of one of the world’s most dangerous drugs

Agency: The U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted on Wednesday to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from a category of the world’s most dangerous drugs.

AP reports that the decision could impact the global medical marijuana industry.

The Vienna-based U.N. agency said in a statement that it had voted 27-25, with one abstention, to follow the World Health Organization’s recommendation. The WHO has recommended removal of cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Until now, cannabis had been listed with heroin and several other opioids.

The agency voted to leave cannabis and cannabis resin on the list of Schedule I drugs, which also include cocaine, morphine, opium and painkiller sold as OxyContin,

Wednesday’s vote therefore does not clear U.N. member nations to legalize marijuana under the international drug control system.

Canada and Uruguay have legalized the sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes, but many countries around the world have decriminalized marijuana possession.