24 May 1984

Meeting 19

The cannabis problem

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1933(LVIII) of 6 May 1975,

Bearing in mind that the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, requires, inter alia, that the use and possession of all the substances listed in Schedule I should be confined exclusively to medical and scientific purposes,

Bearing in mind also that the Convention recommends, for the substances listed in Schedule IV, including cannabis and cannabis resin, application of all the special control measures which the contracting parties have deemed necessary in the light of the particularly dangerous properties of those substances,

Recognizing that knowledge concerning the harm that the use of cannabis and cannabis resin can cause to the human organism, especially to the brain, the lungs and cell structures, is considerably greater today than it was a few years ago,

Noting with great concern that the International Narcotics Control Board, in its two most recent annual reports, has emphasized that the abuse, illicit cultivation and trafficking of cannabis and cannabis resin are increasing in a majority of regions of the world,

Aware that in many regions of the world cannabis and cannabis resin obviously play an important role in the spread of drug abuse and in the illicit drug traffic, particularly among young persons,

1. Recommends that all Governments should combat systematically the abuse of cannabis and cannabis resin and intensify national and international efforts to fight the illicit cultivation of, and traffic in, those narcotic drugs;

2. Recommends also that all Governments that have not yet done so should consider all appropriate measures needed to confine the cultivation and the licit use of cannabis products to medical and scientific research, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 5 (b), of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961;

3. Recommends further that scientific research, especially long-term investigations into the effects of cannabis abuse on the human organism, should be continued and accelerated;

4. Recommends, in addition, that all Governments should maintain or adopt appropriate preventive measures concerning the hazardous consequences of cannabis abuse;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to inform all Governments of the present resolution, and to invite them to take action with a view to its effective implementation, in accordance with the pertinent provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961.