Some WHO cannabis recommendations draw strong opposition at recent UN meeting

Two of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cannabis scheduling recommendations might face an uphill battle getting adopted later this year by the United Nations’ Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

That revelation stems from an analysis of statements made by U.N.-member states at a recent two-day CND meeting.

Still, many in the cannabis industry are hoping for a positive outcome at the end of the year, when a vote is planned.

The reason: If the two recommendations discussed at the CND meeting in June are approved, international trade in certain CBD preparations is expected to become more free.

That’s because such products would be subject to fewer international controls. And that, in turn, could boost sales.

During the recent closed-door CND meeting, participants discussed two of the WHO’s six cannabis-related recommendations:

1. Recommendation 5.4 to delete cannabis “extracts and tinctures” from Schedule 1 of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs.
2. Recommendation 5.5 to add a footnote to the cannabis entry in Schedule 1 of the 1961 Single Convention to clarify that preparations containing predominantly CBD and up to 0.2% THC are not under international control.

The CND’s virtual meeting at the end of June included only U.N. member states and intergovernmental organizations.

But Marijuana Business Daily was able to watch most of the content and concluded that member states which actively engaged in the conversation were largely reluctant to change the status quo.

The debate around Recommendation 5.4 was relatively uneventful because many consider the proposal to be mostly of an administrative nature – intended to avoid repetition of the word “preparations” – rather than a move to reduce any controls.

By contrast, the CBD recommendation had almost no vocal supporters during the meeting.

If adopted, Recommendation 5.5 could have more direct implications for the cannabis industry and result in greater trade in CBD products.

Among those countries voicing reservations were the United States, Canada and Brazil as well as nations such as Kyrgyzstan.

The apparent lack of verbal support is a worrying sign for cannabis companies hoping to capitalize on this possible international change that would clarify that certain CBD products are not subject to the controls of the 1961 Single Convention.

However, it is worth noting that a large number of countries remained silent throughout the meeting. These included European countries that were present at the meeting but only rarely engaged in the conversation. (Read Full Article)