Spain: Unidos Podemos confronts the government over WHO recommendations

Questioned by Spanish parliamentarians Regarding medical cannabis, the Spanish Ministry of Health had evaded the issue by stating it was relying on the recommendations of the WHO and its 41st Expert Committee. The committee's results had not been disclosed at the time. A few days later, however, The official recommendations of the WHO are published, and supporters of legalization are curious to see what position the Spanish government will adopt.

The WHO's recommendations are a game-changer.

Following the compilation of the Expert Panel's views, the WHO recommends reclassifying cannabis to less restrictive levels of the international drug control treaties. Through this reclassification, the international organization officially recognizes the therapeutic value of cannabis. It also recommends not exercising control over CBD, which is also used as a medicine by a number of patients.

Countries around the world have long based their drug policies on the UN's classification of narcotics. This reclassification is therefore a true revolution. If a national government decides to maintain a conservative stance on cannabis and not recognize its therapeutic benefits, this position will no longer be legitimized by international norms. Conservative policies on cannabis are therefore weakened in their foundation.

We can confront the government.

In Spain, the reformists Podemos they know it and they immediately confronted the government. Yesterday, they asked it, through parliamentary questions, to clarify its position regarding the WHO's recommendations. They also requested the presence of the Minister of Health, María Luisa Carcedo, and The government delegate For the National Drug Plan, Azucena Martí, to the Joint Congress Commission so that they present «the measures the government will take to transcribe this change of status into Spanish legislation.».

Spain is also among the countries that will vote at the next session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. It is not yet known whether the states will vote on the WHO's latest recommendations regarding cannabis due to publication delays, but if that is the case, This vote will approve or reject the WHO's recommendations, effectively changing the status of cannabis in international treaties. Podemos also requested the presence of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Fernando Martín-Valenzuela, so that he may present to the Foreign Affairs Committee of Congress the position Spain intends to adopt for the vote.

The party Unidos Podemos expressed himself very early in favor of legalization of medical and recreational cannabis. The party is behind Several legislative initiatives to change current laws and recently held A forum on the terms and conditions for the legalization of cannabis in Spain. The party specifically recommends promoting a national industry with appellations of origin and preventing the creation of monopolies.