UNGASS 2016 what is it?

This is where the UNGASS 2016 will take place. The Vienna International Centre.

UNGASS 2016 or United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem is a gathering of the United Nations to discuss matters of the global drug policies. It’s the first meeting in that form since the year 1998 where the UN decided to eliminate all Drug use. 18 Years later another conference is taking place to review the results of the “War on Drugs”.

When does it take place?

The UNGASS 2016 is already in it’s preparation phase. Many things are already prepared or get prepared at the moment. To get an overview over the roadmap take a look at the Tentative Roadmap Elaboration Outcome Document. The Assembly takes place from 19 to 21 April 2016. To stay up to date with everything that is going on you can follow #UNGASS2016.

What to expect?

Based on the chosen date I would say we see some important stuff happening on 420. Maybe we get a global ruling that excludes Cannabis from the Schedule I in regards to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961. When looking at the development worldwide, it is even more likely that there will be a decision for the legalization of hemp. Look at the media, can you remember the last day you didn’t see a Cannabis reference in mainstream TV? Cannabis is already legal in 5 of the 50 US states, medical usage is allowed in 24 states and in 16 US states. Basically the global mindset is shifting away from prohibition and that might be what the world needs. Legalizing Cannabis will turn down criminals and it will bring tax income on a product that is currently neglected.