Many parts of the United States are still stuck in the stone ages when it comes to their antiquated stance on cannabis (marijuana), and the World Health Organization (WHO) has a message for them all: stop prohibiting it already!
Not only is the WHO recommending that legislators take a "more rational" approach to laws dealing with cannabis, but the international agency is also stressing the fact that, contrary to the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) official position on the matter, cannabis is medicinal.
The WHO's Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) recently made an official proposal that cannabis be rescheduled – constitutionally speaking, it should be de-scheduled entirely – in light of new scientific findings demonstrating an extensive array of medical benefits.
Last fall, the committee held its first formal discussion on cannabis laws since the advent of the International Drug Control Conventions in 1961. This one discussion brought to bear the obvious: that it's basically a crime against humanity to keep cannabis illegal.
"The Committee recognized the public health harms presented by these substances, as well as their potential for therapeutic and scientific use," reads an official press release from the committee following the meeting.
"As a result, the Committee recommended a more rational system of international control surrounding cannabis and cannabis-related substances that would prevent drug-related harms whilst ensuring that cannabis-derived pharmaceutical preparations are available for medical use."
It's time for all countries, states, and municipalities to finally "free the weed"
Among the emerging research in favor of ending cannabis prohibition is a 2015 study which found that cannabis is at least 114 times safer than alcohol, as well as a study published last year which found that nobody has ever died from using cannabis.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people die annually from drinking toxic alcohol, which damages the liver and other vital organs from normal use.
We also now know that in states were cannabis is legal, opioid use is way down – as opposed to prohibition states where abuse of opioids and other damaging drugs is on the rise.
Studies also show that cannabis is highly beneficial for the brain and nervous system, helping to slow brain aging and even reverse it.
Cannabis really is God's medicine – and the Bible supports this claim
This and so much more proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that cannabis really is nature's medicine – the literal fruit of one of God's seed-bearing plants, which he declared to be good in Genesis 1:29.
"These recommendations are of monumental importance as they may lead to the overcoming of barriers to research, enhance access of patients to cannabis-based medicine, and allow free commerce of cannabis products internationally," stated Ethan Russo from the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute in response to the WHO's new official position on cannabis.
Michael Krawitz, a global policy adviser at the non-profit cannabis advocacy group FAAAT, agrees, having told Newsweek that the WHO's placement of cannabis in the 1961 Convention was a "terrible injustice."
"The WHO has gone a long way towards setting the record straight," he's quoted as saying in response to the news.
"It is time for us all to support the World Health Organization's recommendations and ensure politics don't trump science. Advocates thank the WHO Experts for their work, and WHO leadership for consistently defending the medical needs of our world."
To learn more about the many health benefits of medical cannabis, including its potential role in the natural treatment of cancer, be sure to check out MarijuanaToday.news.
You can also keep up with the latest cannabis news from an unbiased perspective at MedicalMarijuanaUpdate.com.
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