Marijuana News & Updates: United Nations Started Discussing Medical Cannabis Policies

United Nations General Assembly Special Sessions that will take place in New York will be discussing the global drug policies focused on medical cannabis. The meeting agenda would include cannabis' status on drug classification where it is currently classified as Schedule I.

According to Freedom Leaf, the UN General Assembly Special Sessions would take place on April 19-21. The officials will be road mapping the plans of updating the international cannabis policy which was not updated since 1972. The cannabis policy remained un-updated wherein it remained as Schedule I of 1961 UN's Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Schedule I drugs includes heroin, which is described as possessing high potential for abuse. It is also mentioned that the Schedule I category involves drugs that are not accepted in medical treatment. Medical cannabis, on the other hand, no longer belongs to Schedule I as it was already proven to have various medical benefits.

The Guardian then added that UN's narcotic drugs conference coincidentally landed on the same date as the 4/20 celebration. Though the dates may be unintended it is, however, something that raised awareness and attention which called out the attention of the media as stated by the NORMAL deputy director, Paul Armentano.

"It is an indication of the unique cultural and social acceptance enjoyed by cannabis that this date now garners such wide-stream awareness and attention from the mainstream media," Armentano stated. "It is meaningful that world leaders are finally engaging in substantive discussions with regard to cannabis policy and possible law reform."

Cannabis advocates hoped that UN's General Assembly would shed a light in having medical cannabis accessible. As of this date, medical cannabis is being legalized in numerous states across the US and its neighboring countries. With its proven effectiveness, medical cannabis is now shaking the medical world with its healing properties.