United Nations Removes Marijuana from List of the World’s Most Dangerous Drugs

The United Nations this week voted to remove marijuana from its list of the world’s most dangerous drugs.

The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted to remove marijuana from its list of Schedule IV drugs, which includes addictive opioids such as heroin, The New York Times reports. The measure passed 27 to 25, with Ukraine abstaining. The United States and European nations voted in favor of the change, while nations including China, Russia, Egypt, Nigeria and Pakistan were opposed.

The move could lead to an expansion of marijuana research and medical use, the article notes. Governments will continue to have jurisdiction over how to classify marijuana.

The World Health Organization recommended changing marijuana’s classification in 2019.