How Close Are We To Fully Legalizing Cannabis?

The United Nations Commission has just made a historic decision lighting the way for declassifying cannabis as a dangerous drug and how it will be changing the way the drug is regulated internationally. Following a review of several recommendations from the World Health Organization with regards to cannabis in addition to similar products, the United Nations Commission has made the decision to reclassify the drug.

Following the decision, marijuana has been taken off the Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 where, at the time cannabis was classified as an addictive, lethal opioid similar to heroin. The first most pivotal move towards removing marijuana from the strict control schedule followed a vote from the 53 member states of the U.N. Commission.

The results of the vote were 27 for, and 25 against, with 1 abstention has now ensures that cannabis will be seen for its medical and therapeutic value as opposed to the deadly opioid it was originally classified as.

At present 50+ countries offer medical marijuana programs, meanwhile 15 U.S. states, in addition to Uruguay and Canada have made the drug available for recreational usage. It has also been reported that he decision made by the United Nations Commission may potentially increase the amount of research done on marijuana’s medicinal properties and cause more growth of a currently thriving billion-dollar industry.