The National Narcotics Commission (CNS) held, on Tuesday in Rabat under the chairmanship of Minister of Health Khalid Ait Taleb, a coordination meeting to study the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) on cannabis and related substances, mainly its therapeutic and medicinal properties. During this meeting, Ait Taleb pointed out that Morocco will vote at the 63rd ordinary session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, scheduled in Vienna on March 02-06, on WHO recommendations relating to cannabis and related substances. It is the first time, since the adoption of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, that the World Health Organization is beginning to change its position on cannabis and related substances by calling upon its Expert Committee on Drug Dependence to conduct a critical review of the current classification of cannabis and related substances, he noted. The Minister recalled that, given the importance of these amendments, particularly with regard to the medical aspect and scientific research, «this meeting aims to exchange and coordinate our ideas, consult each other, discuss these recommendations and assess their impact, if adopted, on the anti-drug policy by our country». Ait Taleb also highlighted the National Strategy, which was developed within the framework of this same Commission and which was presented as part of a Side event in 2006 in Vienna during the holding of the 49th extraordinary session of the General Assembly of the UN Narcotic Drugs Commission. He underlined Morocco's adherence to the efforts of the international community by joining the Political Declaration and Action Plan of the UNGA (2009-2019), and the Joint Ministerial Declaration resulting from the 2014 High Level Review.
