UN reclassification of cannabis could give India’s legalisation movement a boost
India voted in favour of rescheduling cannabis as a less dangerous drug, giving hope to weed activists and entrepreneurs about the perception of this “drug” changing
Vice (India)
Friday, December 4, 2020
Friday, December 4, 2020
In a highly-anticipated vote held on December 2, the United Nations Commission for Narcotic Drugs reclassified cannabis as a less dangerous drug. The historic vote removed cannabis from the Schedule IV category, where it was listed alongside dangerous and highly addictive opioids like heroin. India voted in favour. As a signatory to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs , anyone caught peddling, scoring or smoking weed could be arrested in India under the obligatory 1985 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). But while the way forward is still foggy, experts believe this historic vote could spark social acceptance and a wider framework when it comes to policing pot users. (See also: Clear the smoke)
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