Amid much celebration, encouraged partly by the Obama Administration's decision not to hinder the regulation, provided certain minimum conditions are met, the conference also addressed many other unresolved issues on drug policy, not only in the United States but also in the rest of the world.
This event aimed to promote debate around the current challenges to drug law enforcement, the concept of managing drug markets to minimize harm and the implications for future law enforcement strategies.
The conference calendar never seems to take a break, but the next few months are particularly busy, with key drug policy, HIV and harm reduction events taking place around the world.
The video interview with INCB President Raymond Yans, posted on 12 October 2013, is a relatively rare public insight into the thinking of the INCB on cannabis policy reform at a time of considerable internal UN turmoil on the question.
A study conducted by FIOCRUZ, found that crack cocaine and similar drugs are used by approximately 370,000 people in the capitals and the DC, what constitutes an important health and social problem.
Issues addressed included those related to the situation and efforts related to countering drug trafficking, legislative measures and administrative policies of drug and chemical control, issues related to opiate availability in palliative care, and the provision of drug treatment and prevention services.
The governments of Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico all called for developing more effective responses to drug trafficking based on promoting public health, respect for human rights and harm reduction.
Years of grassroots advocacy on pain management and the lack of opioid analgesics spurred the AU to invite the INCB to advise on how the global drug control treaties could serve to ensure availability of narcotic drugs for medical and scientific requirements.
