International patient coalition to take part in 67th CND session

The Patient Council of the’International Alliance for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM), an international coalition of patient organizations, will participate in the next session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, March 14–22, 2024.

This is the first time that representatives from the IACM Patient Council will attend such an event; their participation in this CND meeting, where they will advocate for the rights of patients seeking legal, fair, and equitable access to medical cannabis, is in line with that of other organizations in attendance.

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) was established in 1946 as a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It is the principal decision-making body of the United Nations system with regard to drug control and, therefore, medical cannabis.

The 67th session of the CND is a midterm review and will focus on assessing the implementation of all existing international commitments on drug policy and on efforts to accelerate the implementation of commitments from 2024 to 2029.

Six representatives from the IACM Patient Council will be present throughout the nine-day event, both to interact with other delegates and to actively participate in the CND:

• Written and oral statements made during the CND plenary session and negotiation forums to help shape the debate and influence policy outcomes
• Side Event 1 of the United Nations Conference: – Access and Availability, from Palliative Care to Primary Care
• Side Event 2 of the United Nations Conference: – Cannabis Biopiracy
• Cannabis Embassy Campus Vienna – Training and capacity-building sessions for CND participants and advocates for cannabis policy reform.

In the words of the IACM, «This is a historic moment for cannabis activism, as the unique obstacles and challenges faced by patients around the world are often imposed and perpetuated by the very treaties for which the CND is responsible. The continued presence of patients and activists at these high-level political events is necessary to ensure the improvement and advancement of fair and equitable legislation for cannabis patients worldwide.»

IACM Patient Council members in attendance:

• Jacqueline Poitras, co-founder and national representative for Greece
• Michael Krawitz, U.S. National Representative
• Daphnée Elisma, Canada's national representative
• Tom Curran, National Representative for Ireland
• Pavel Kubu, National Representative for the Czech Republic
• Kevin Herzig, National Representative for Austria

Jacqueline Poitras, co-founder of the IACM Patient Council, national representative for Greece, and founding director of MAMAKA (Mothers for Cannabis), states:

«The access issues faced by patients are common to people all over the world. Cannabis has been recognized by the World Health Organization as having medical applications And it is time for this highly therapeutic plant to be treated as such—not as a dangerous narcotic that is kept out of reach of patients who need its healing properties. The treaties and regulations established in the past are in desperate need of revision and updating to support the rights and needs of today’s patients. The political agendas of certain countries should not stand in the way of safe and affordable access.»

Daphnée Elisma, Canada’s national representative and founder of’AUBE: The Voice of Medical Cannabis Patients, adds:

 »It is essential that barriers to safe and affordable access to medical cannabis be addressed on a non-discriminatory basis.»

Michael Krawitz, Executive Director of Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access in the United States, concludes:

«The IACM Patient Council has reviewed cannabis access programs in various countries, and we have found that many people lack access to them, and that those who do have access often face barriers that are, at best, unnecessary and, at worst, constitute a violation of fundamental human rights. We hope that our contribution to these historic United Nations meetings will help guide countries toward improving patient access.»