www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9010967/UN-agency-removes-cannabis-strictest-drug-category.html
The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted on Wednesday to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from a category of the world's most dangerous drugs, which could impact the global medical marijuana industry.
The Vienna-based UN agency said in a statement that its 53 member states had voted 27-25, with one abstention, to follow the World Health Organization's recommendation to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
Russia was a vocal opponent of the reclassification, according to NPR, calling marijuana 'the most abused drug globally'.
China, Egypt, Nigeria and Pakistan were also among those in opposition, while Ukraine abstained.
Canada and Uruguay have already legalised the sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes and Mexico and Luxembourg appear set to follow suit.
Many other countries around the world have decriminalised marijuana possession.
While the reclassification will not prompt immediate changes in drug regulation - which is decided at a national level - it could have an impact in the longterm as many countries look to international conventions for guidance.
(contd)