1.媒體來源:
紐約時報
2.記者署名:
sabella Kwai
3.完整新聞標題:
U.N. Reclassifies Cannabis as a Less Dangerous Drug
A United Nations commission voted to remove marijuana
for medical use from a list of the most risky narcotics, such as heroin.
聯合國將大麻重新定為低風險藥物
聯合國中的委員會將大麻自高風險物質(如:海洛因)表單中移除
4.完整新聞內文:
A United Nations commission voted on Wednesday to remove cannabis for
medicinal purposes from a category of the world’s most dangerous drugs, a
highly anticipated and long-delayed decision that could clear the way for an
expansion of marijuana research and medical use.
聯合國委員會周三投票表決，從世界上最危險的藥物類別中刪除用於醫療目的的大麻，這
項備受期待和長期拖延的決定可能為擴大大麻研究和醫療用途鋪平道路。
The vote by the Commission for Narcotic Drugs, which is based in Vienna and
includes 53 member states, considered a series of recommendations from the
World Health Organization on reclassifying cannabis and its derivatives. But
attention centered on a key recommendation to remove cannabis from Schedule
IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs — where it was listed
alongside dangerous and highly addictive opioids like heroin.
總部設在維也納的麻醉藥品委員會由53個成員國組成，審議了世界衛生組織對大麻及其衍
生物進行重新分類的一系列建議。從1961年《麻醉品單一公約》附表四中刪除大麻，在該
表中大麻與危險和高度易上癮的鴉片類藥物（如海洛因）一起被列出。
Experts say that the vote will have no immediate impact on loosening
international controls because governments will still have jurisdiction over
how to classify cannabis. But many countries look to global conventions for
guidance, and United Nations recognition is a symbolic win for advocates of
drug policy change who say that international law is out of date.
專家說表示:投票不會對國際管制產生立即影響，因為各國仍將對如何對大麻進行分類擁
有管轄權，但是許多國家以全球公約作為指標，而聯合國承認對於藥品政策的改革，對倡
導者來說是像徵性的勝利，他們說國際法已經過時了。
“This is a huge, historic victory for us, we couldn’t hope for more,” said
Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli, an independent researcher for drug policy who has
closely monitored the vote and the position of member states. He said that
cannabis had been used throughout history for medicinal purposes and that the
decision on Wednesday reinstated that status.
The change will most likely bolster medical research and legalization efforts
around the world.
The vote was a “big step forward,” recognizing the positive impact of
cannabis on patients, said Dirk Heitepriem, a vice president at Canopy
Growth, a Canadian cannabis company. “We hope this will empower more
countries to create frameworks which allow patients in need to get access to
treatment.”
Marijuana for medical use has exploded in recent years and products
containing cannabis derivatives like cannabidiol or CBD, a nonintoxicating
compound, have flooded the wellness industry. Cowen, an investment and
financial services company, estimates that the CBD industry in the United
States will be worth $16 billion by 2025.
Some research has suggested that CBD can protect the nervous system and
provide relief from seizures, pain, anxiety and inflammation. The list of
CBD-infused products — including creams, serums, soda water and juice — is
also expanding rapidly.
The recommendations for changing the classification of marijuana were first
made by the World Health Organization in 2019. But they were politically
divisive, which led to unusual delays in the United Nations commission’s
vote.
世界衛生組織於2019年首次提出了改變大麻分類的建議。但是，這些建議在政治上存在分
歧，導致聯合國委員會投票的異常拖延。
The reclassification passed 27 to 25, with an abstention from Ukraine. The
United States and European nations were among those who voted in favor, while
the likes of China, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan and Russia were opposed.
本次投票中，以27:25通過決議。烏克蘭棄權，美國與歐洲國家投下贊成票，中國、埃及
、奈及利亞、巴基斯坦與俄羅斯投下反對票。
China’s delegate said that, despite the United Nations move, the country
would strictly control cannabis “to protect from the harm and abuse.”
中國表示儘管聯合國通過本項決議，但中國將不會將大麻的管制放鬆，以保護人民被大麻
傷害與濫用
Britain’s delegate said that the reclassification was “in line with the
scientific evidence of its therapeutic benefits” but that the country still
strongly supported international controls for cannabis, adding that marijuana
presented “serious public health risks.”
The differing messages underline the complexities behind the decision. “It’
s been a diplomatic circus,” said Mr. Riboulet-Zemouli, who added that some
countries initially opposed to the change, like France, had since switched
their position.
Michael Krawitz, executive director for Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access,
an advocacy group in the United States, said the change in international law
would “help reduce the suffering millions of people” and could help
mitigate reliance on opiates, noting that cannabis was an important
medication that could provide unique pain relief.
Also on Wednesday, the commission rejected a proposal to include the cannabis
derivative THC in the 1961 convention, which would have tightened some
controls.
同樣的在本日，該委員會拒絕將THC列入此1931麻醉品單一公約的提議
The overhaul of cannabis policy, particularly around legalization for medical
use, has moved at a rapid pace over the last few years, said Jessica
Steinberg, managing director at the Global C, an international cannabis
consulting group. Industry insiders have expressed hope that the vote will
open the field for more research into the therapeutic benefits of the drug.
But the impact on the American and European markets was driving the issue,
Ms. Steinberg noted. In the United States, where more states legalized the
use of medical and recreational marijuana in the recent election, the market
for both of those is expected to expand to more than $34 billion by 2025,
according to Cowen.
Before the vote this week and other decriminalization efforts, share prices
of some cannabis companies jumped.
But aside from the financial boon it could provide for American and European
marijuana markets, downgrading the dangers of cannabis may have the biggest
impact on countries that have more conservative policies, such as many
Caribbean and Asian nations.
“Something like this does not mean that legalization is just going to happen
around the world,” Ms. Steinberg said. But “it could be a watershed moment.
”
5.完整新聞連結 (或短網址):
https://reurl.cc/e82Y4m
6.備註:
預計本周內美國眾議院也將投票決定聯邦層級的大麻合法化