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The legalisation of the free distribution of cannabis in the US is of “serious concern” and EU countries are “currently considering violating their drug control obligations”, Syromolotov has said.
Europe is moving towards a more progressive stance on cannabis policy both medically and recreationally, following suit from America. Europe is also quickly moving to the adoption of hemp-based products as an alternative to many environmentally harmful items. Italy, for example, is planning an increase in hemp and processing centres that could boost the production of fabric and fibre.
Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Syromolotov, head of the delegation of the Russian Federation, raised his concerns over this advance towards legalisation at the 65th session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic drugs.
Syromolotov stated to the chairman: “Throughout all these years the three drug control conventions have constituted the strong foundation of our international legal cooperation. It is symbolic that this year we celebrate the anniversary of the 1972 Protocol to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961.
Read more: Italy plans hemp production increases – could the UK be next?
“It is unfortunate that today we see attempts to shatter this foundation and distort its essence. Legalisation of free distribution of cannabis in such countries as the United States of America and Canada is a matter of serious concern for us.
“It is worrisome that several Member States of the European Union are currently considering violating their drug control obligations. Such approach is unacceptable. Strict compliance of all State Parties with their obligations under the conventions is the precondition for the smooth functioning of the global drug control regime.”
This statement comes as Russia wages war in Ukraine – which the likes of experts at Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs), an independent policy institute headquartered in London, and the Australian Parliament, say is violating Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
He goes on to state: “Russia is consistently advocating that only those States that are implementing the provisions of the conventions in good faith have the moral right to participate in the activities of the Commission. By applying a different approach we risk undermining the authority of the Commission which is the policy-making body of the United Nations with prime responsibility for drug control matters.”
In 2020, the UN voted to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, recognising the medicinal value of the plant, and is currently carrying out a Cannabis Initiatives Guidelines effort. The initiative is being developed to support Member States with the harmonisation of monitoring, control, and reporting practices regarding cannabis in order to “ensure availability of cannabis-based substances for medical and scientific purposes” – whilst preventing their diversion and abuse.
The initiative, which is being supported financially by the Government of Japan, last year saw non-governmental organisations (NGOs) raise concerns over the secretive work surrounding it. In December 2021, 81 NGOs from 56 countries sent letters to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) president, Jagjit Pavadi, calling for transparency and accountability.
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for United Nations (UN) secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, responded to an enquiry regarding the letters stating that: “The narcotics control board is a Member State body – they set their own rules. As a matter of principle, the secretary-general always believes that civil society should be heard and should be given space to express their opinion.”
Earlier, in June 2021, the UN called for a worldwide ban on the advertising of cannabis products following the publication of the World Drug Report 2021. The report demanded cannabis products be treated a similar way to tobacco – citing that THC levels in cannabis products have ‘quadrupled in strength in the United States of America and have doubled in Europe in the last two decades’.
The report states that: “Awareness-raising and communication efforts that disseminate scientific information without stigmatising people who use drugs or people with drug use disorders can help to avoid misperceptions.
“Messages must be fact-based and a clear distinction must be made among the effective medical uses of cannabis products for some ailments, the use of cannabis products such as CBD in the so-called wellness industry and the consequences of the non-medical use of cannabis.”
Syromolotov went on to say in his statement: “While countering the spread of the Coronavirus disease the Russian drug control strategy prioritises uninterrupted supply of medicines containing narcotic drugs to population. We welcome the decision of the Commission to emphasise this topical issue for all regions at the opening of the general debate.”
Referring to increases in drug abuse due to COVID-19, illicit opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and illicit drugs trafficking, he concluded: “Russia is always committed to a constructive, substantive discussion in the Commission. We hope that the results of this session will make a solid contribution into our effective joint response to drug-related criminality.”
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