India voted to remove cannabis (ganja) from the world’s most dangerous narcotic substance in a United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) consensus polling.
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This decision will most likely change the way cannabis is regulated internationally.
“The CND decided to remove cannabis (ganja) from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs — where it was listed alongside deadly, addictive opioids, including heroin,” the UN said in a statement.
With a historic vote of 27 in favour, 25 against, and one abstention, the CND has initiated the process to recognize the medicinal and therapeutic potential of the commonly-used recreational drug.
Although reclassification of cannabis by the UN agency is vital, it would not immediately change its status worldwide as many countries have their own regulations.
In India, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act – production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, and use of cannabis is a punishable offence.
