UN RECLASSIFICATION OF CANNABIS "DISAPPOINTING"
Channel: A Singaporean
Date: 2020-12-04

UN RECLASSIFICATION OF CANNABIS "DISAPPOINTING"

The reclassification

The 53 member states that comprise the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs, of which Singapore is not a voting member, have voted 27 to 25 (with one abstaining), to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug. This ruling will remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which is for drugs that are highly addictive, liable to abuse, and rarely used in medical practice.

The Convention allows nations to impose restrictions on the supply of such drugs, except for medical and scientific research. By removing it from the Convention, many important barriers to accessing cannabis will be removed, making it easier for addicts to acquire the substance.

Singapore's stance

Singapore is worried that the ruling could fuel the incorrect perception that cannabis is not as harmful as previously believed, especially on the safety and efficacy of cannabis for medicinal purposes. In addition, there is well-founded and incontrovertible evidence that cannabis use can result in numerous short-term and long-term adverse effects, which include respiratory and cognitive impairments.

As such, Singapore will not change its zero-tolerance stance against drugs like cannabis, by continuing to enforce strict laws against trafficking, possession, consumption, and import and export of illicit drugs.

Singapore is joined by 28 countries who oppose the recommendations, such as China, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Turkey. All 28 nations agree that the ruling should not be viewed as an endorsement of recreational cannabis nor lead to further liberalisation of controls over cannabis.