United Nations examines international cannabis laws

For the first time, a World Health Organization (WHO) committee is reviewing the status of cannabis under international law. The initial documents released contain several arguments in favor of the medical use of cannabis.

The committee's preliminary report, which is set to be officially released this week, could even influence international drug policy and the classification of cannabis in international treaties.

In addition to reaffirming its previous findings on CBD, considered safe and with proven therapeutic properties, the WHO focused on the entire plant to examine, in particular, cannabis tinctures and extracts, THC, and its isomers.

Preliminary Findings of the WHO Committee

In terms of risks, the The committee acknowledged that no one had died from a cannabis overdose and described it as a «relatively safe drug.».

The association between cannabis use and the risk of cardiovascular events «appears to be weak at best,» according to the committee. It also cites a «wealth of preclinical literature» showing that cannabinoids «reduce the proliferation of cancer cells» and inhibit «cancer cell migration and angiogenesis [the proliferation of blood vessels characteristic of malignant tumors and the development of metastases] in many types of cancer cells.».

As for the medical benefits, the committee a examined Several conditions treated with cannabis in countries or states where its medical use is legal: loss of appetite, chronic pain, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, opioid withdrawal, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep disorders.

A review of the scientific literature on the effectiveness of cannabis-based treatments for these conditions showed that cannabinoids are effective in reducing pain, promoting sleep, and improving motor function in people with Parkinson’s disease. The committee nevertheless noted a lack of clinical trials to support a decision on most of these conditions.

The last section of the preliminary exam focused on the epidemiology of cannabis. While acknowledging that cannabis «has therapeutic potential,» the committee notes that there are short- and long-term concerns about cannabis use «that could be relevant to public health.».

According to the commission, the most serious effects include «cognitive effects, including impaired short-term memory, impaired judgment, and impaired motor coordination, increasing the risk of injury» and «impaired judgment,» which «may also lead to problematic decisions regarding the increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases.».

The committee determined that regular and heavy cannabis use was associated with «brain disorders (particularly in adolescents), academic performance issues, and partially long-lasting cognitive impairments, with an increased likelihood of dropping out of school » and »an increased risk of chronic psychotic disorders (including schizophrenia) among individuals predisposed to such disorders.»

If the preliminary review is approved by the WHO, further studies will be conducted by the WHO before a final recommendation on the status of cannabis is submitted to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres, who had pursued a policy of decriminalization of all drugs in Portugal when he was the country's prime minister.