March 31, 2020 10:25 am ETEstimated Read Time: 4 Minutes
The World Health Organization has been hard at work on the business of reclassifying cannabis for some time. Although little immediate progress has been made, there is still cause for optimism thanks to the fact that this subject has been raised, and continues to take place, on a global stage. In January of 2019, the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence released a new set of cannabis recommendations. Their findings concluded that the current classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance was a barrier to discovery when it came to learning how cannabis might serve people medicinally. The committee suggested that action be taken to remove that barrier.
Now, over a year later, cannabis remains a Schedule I substance, and the research the committee had hoped to see has not been embraced. However, the good news is that the United Nations and the WHO continue to advocate for cannabis. The conversation is far from over.
Understanding Drug Scheduling
In order to make sense of cannabis’s current classification, it’s necessary to understand the way drugs are classified. The scheduling system in the US is as follows:
Schedule I Substances are defined as those with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. Examples include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. It is easy to see why cannabis doesn’t quite fit in with this group. The ECDD pointed out that cannabis doesn’t carry the same harmful properties as do the other Schedule I drugs. They also recognized the potential of cannabis as a medical substance, pointing out that just because its medicinal properties hadn’t been fully defined, that didn’t mean they ought to be ignored.
Schedule II Substances are also considered as prone to being abused. These are highly dangerous substances, but they are also considered to have some medical value. Schedule II substances include cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone.
Schedule III Substances carry a moderate risk of dependence, with less potential for abuse than Schedules I and II. Examples include codeine, ketamine, and testosterone.
Schedule IV Substances carry a low potential for abuse or dependence. Examples include Xanax, Valium, and Ambien.
Schedule V Substances carry the lowest potential for abuse and are not considered dangerous. These substances are things like cough medicines that have a low amount of narcotics in them.
The WHO Delays Action
For the second time since the ECDD made its recommendations, the WHO is delaying voting on reclassifying cannabis.
Apply For Your Medical Marijuana Card Today
Veriheal has satisfied hundreds of thousands of patients nationwide
Get approved or your money back
Appointments available on-demand
Customer support available 24/7
It’s not for lack of understanding of the recommendation, though. The encouraging fact is that the WHO does seem to respect and understand that cannabis has been misclassified. And because drug classifications directly inform both the research that can be done into their uses and the penalties assessed against those who commit crimes involving each substance, they understand that it’s important to rectify the error.
At the present time, the WHO has been studying and discussing the potential ramifications of reclassifying cannabis, reflecting on the impact it will have on various nations socially, economically, and legally.
There is also a concern relating to whether the way drugs are classified is out of date entirely and ought to be revised as a whole.
Various nations have responded differently to the WHO’s measured approach. Algeria responded positively, stating that urgency was not called for in the matter of cannabis reclassification and that the WHO was wise to take its time. Slovenia, meanwhile, had the opposite reaction, insisting that cannabis needed to be reclassified and made available in an expeditious manner.
Though the delays may be frustrating, we can take heart knowing that the WHO is giving its attention to this very important issue.
Kat Helgeson comes from a ten year career in social media marketing and content creation. She takes pride in her ability to communicate the culture and values of an organization via the written word. Kat is also the author of numerous books for young adults. Her titles have received the Junior Library Guild Award, the Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year Distinction, and been featured on the Illinois Reads selection list. Her work has been translated into Dutch and German.
When you take a dab, you’ll notice a dark, sticky residue left over in your dab rig. This substance is called reclaim, and yes, you can dab reclaim. But what is cannabis reclaim? And is it safe to dab? What is Reclaim? Can You Dab Reclaim? How to Collect Reclaim from a Dab Rig Health…
With its own set of terms and practices distinct from other forms of cannabis, the intricate world of cannabis concentrates—sometimes called extracts—can be overwhelming. A concentrate is a highly potent concentrated cannabis product made by extracting terpenes and cannabinoids (think THC) from cannabis plant material. While there are multiple ways to consume concentrates, the most…
So you love smoking cannabis, but you’re tired of the same ole rolling papers. Perhaps you feel like you’ve graduated from dumping out the tobacco and shoving weed into an empty cigarette. Maybe you’ve recently learned about the potential dangers and risks associated with tobacco blunt wraps and want a healthier option. Let’s explore some…
If you’re reading this, you are either a recreational cannabis veteran who has seen a handful of cannabis smokers passing out from puffing a joint and can’t seem to figure out why. Or, you are a newbie who wants to give recreational or medical cannabis a shot, and the burning question on your mind is,…
When you decide that you are going to dabble in cannabis cultivation, you have many different decisions to make. You’ll have to decide whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors, as well as in soil, or the route of hydroponics. You’ll also have to pick what type of planters to use, what grow medium to use,…
We use our own as well as third party cookies to improve your site experience and the services we make available. You can learn more about our use of cookies in our Privacy Policy.
Content Disclamer
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.