Cannabis, a plant that has been used therapeutically for thousands of years, has finally been recognised for its medical value. This follows a historic vote by the United Nations (UN’s) Commission for Narcotics Drugs to remove cannabis from a list of drugs that were judged to have little medical benefit. However, the cannabis still remains a banned drug for non-medical use under UN law.
The UN’s vote to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs was narrowly won by 27 to 25 votes. Among the countries that voted for the change were the US and UK while those that opposed it include Russia, China, Pakistan and Nigeria.
The use cannabis as a medicine can be traced back thousands of years back to the 15th century BC in China where it was listed as a medicine and even to Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.
There is a good chance that the UN’s decision will add to a growing drive in many countries to increase access to cannabis-based medicines. It could also spark more scientific research into the drug’s long-known medical properties. In addition, it could also act as a catalyst for more countries to legalise the drug for medicinal use, leading to laws on recreational use being reconsidered.
At present there are more than 50 countries around the world have adopted medical cannabis programmes. Among the first countries to legalise cannabis for recreational use include Canada followed by Uruguay along with several states in the US.
Currently, the legal cannabis market in Europe, where medicinal use is permitted in most EU countries, is worth USD 1 billion (RM4.06 billion).
While the medical uses are now acknowledged, even by experts at the World Health Organisation (WHO), the non-medical use of cannabis remains in the most restrictive Schedule 1, a category that is designated for the riskiest of drugs that include cocaine and fentanyl.
Closer to home, Free Malaysia Today reported that Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said the control on cannabis in the country is not affected by the reclassification of the drug by the UN.
Hamzah said in a statement that cannabis and other cannabis-related items remain controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and legal action would be taken anyone that violates the law. The law stipulates imprisonment for drug possession and the mandatory death sentence involving drug trafficking offences in the country.
