For information only - not an official document
UNIS/NAR/1186
19 November 2013
VIENNA, 19 November 2013 (UN Information Service) - The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has noted with concern that the Government of Uruguay was unable to send a delegation to the just concluded INCB session to discuss the status of the country's compliance with the international drug control conventions.
The Board is very concerned that the draft legislation currently being considered in Uruguay would, if adopted, legalize production, sale and consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes. The President of INCB, Raymond Yans, stated that "this would be in contravention of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which has been adopted by 186 countries, including Uruguay." Mr. Yans added that "cannabis is controlled due to its dependence-producing potential" and that "the current development in Uruguay, if pursued, would have serious repercussions for public health, particularly for youth, and would be in violation of the United Nations international drug control treaties."
The President of the Board concluded that "INCB looks forward to Uruguay resuming its dialogue with the Board at the earliest possible opportunity, prior to further consideration of the draft legislation in the country." In discharging its mandate, INCB is committed to an ongoing dialogue with all Governments, including the Government of Uruguay, to ensure universal application of the three international drug control conventions.
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INCB is the independent, quasi-judicial body charged with promoting and monitoring Government compliance with the three international drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
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For further information, please contact:
INCB Secretariat
Telephone for media inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4163
Email: secretariat[at]incb.org
