Access to controlled medicines

News14 February 2023

Japan to legalise medical cannabis

Despite a flourishing CBD market and plans to legalise medical access, the government has vowed to further criminalise non-medical uses.

News14 February 2023

Australia becomes first country to recognise psychedelics as medicines

MDMA and psilocybin will be considered schedule 8 drugs, allowing their prescription by a psychiatrist.

News14 February 2023

Laos approves regulated production of cannabis for medical use

Regulations enable the production of CBD products for medical purposes, whilst stating THC content must not exceed 0.2%.

News16 January 2023

There’s a rising green tide in Brazil

Despite attempts by the outgoing administration to ban the prescription of cannabis products, a growing number of activists, civil society, health professionals and politicians mobilise to secure safe access.

News13 December 2022

Time for a humane and radical rethink on drug policy in South Africa

As South Africa lags far behind with harm reduction services compared to other countries in the region, wide-ranging reforms are needed to improve access to essential medicines, confront funding gaps and stop coercion into 'treatment'.

Events

CND Chair one-day special forum on availability and access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes.

Online / Vienna, Austria

9 October 2022

The forum will take place on 10 October 2022 at the Vienna International Centre.

News1 September 2022

Malaysia aims to learn from Thailand in push for medical use of cannabis

While the country retains the mandatory death penalty for supply offences involving more than 200g of the substance, the government is exploring medical applications.

News31 August 2022

Govt take a trip to the shroom to help Thailand’s depressed

The Thai government starts initiative looking into the medical benefits of the magic mushroom, as international organisations report that the category 5 narcotic's psilocybin chemical could help various health conditions.

Publications2 August 2022

Calculating worldwide needs for morphine for pain in advanced cancer and proportions feasibly met by country estimates of requirements and consumption

Clark et al. analyse the gap between morphine estimated requirements, needs and actual consumption, concluding less than a third of the world's countries meet patients' needs.

Publications29 July 2022

International cooperation against the world drug problem - Report of the Secretary-General

The UN Secretary-General takes stock of efforts by the UN system to respond to challenges related to drugs and drug policy.

News9 June 2022

Thailand makes marijuana legal, but smoking discouraged

As Thailand becomes the first country in Asia to adopt nationwide decriminalisation, advocates are mobilising to ensure the upcoming bill to regulate the market centres equity.

Publications6 June 2022

Public health dimension of the world drug problem - Report by the WHO Director-General

WHO Director-General offers an overview of recent developments, including in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and access to controlled medicines, and calls for a public health approach.

Explore more content