The African Union(AU) is expected to draft a common position on the rescheduling of Cannabis and associated substances in the International Drug Control framework to facilitate the trade of these substances for medicinal and scientific purposes.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Emmanuel Mwamba says the draft is expected to take into consideration national policies as guided by the AU plan of action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2023).
He said the decision by the AU has been necessitated by the announcement that the Voting for the reclassification of cannabis is to take place in December, 2020 at the United Nations (UN).
Mr Mwamba said the African Union Commission will constitute an expert group to spearhead the drafting of the common African position after consultations with Member States.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that Cannabis be reclassified as it was not particularly harmful as research had indicated that its use is not associated with significant risk of death.
Zambia last year approved a policy to legalize the production and export of cannabis for economic and medicinal purposes.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, by Zambia’s First Secretary-Press &Tourism in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Inutu Mwanza.