UNIS/MA/320
Vienna, 3 March 2023
Media representatives are invited to the global launch of the
on
Thursday, 9 March 2023, 11 a.m. CET
Room C0225A, C-Building, 2nd Floor
Vienna International Centre
With Jagjit Pavadia,
President of the International Narcotics Control Board
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is launching its 2022 Annual Report with a special chapter on the trend towards the legalization of the non-medical use of cannabis. In the report, INCB highlights that the non-medical use of cannabis contravenes the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which classifies cannabis as a highly addictive substance. Taking a detailed look at this trend among a small number of governments, INCB notes that cannabis legalization can cause many negative health effects, particularly among young people.
In a supplementary report, INCB takes a look at the inadequate availability of some internationally controlled medicines. INCB is concerned that some countries continue to have difficulties procuring enough opioid analgesics for pain treatment, particularly in humanitarian emergency situations. INCB points out that emergency situations increase the global need for controlled substances and provides a set of recommendations to help Governments improve access to and availability of these essential medicines.
The Precursors Report 2022 highlights, among other things, that countries are confiscating a high number of non-scheduled chemicals and designer precursors used in illicit drug manufacture. INCB expresses concern about the global spread of these substances.
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The Report is embargoed until 9 March 2023, 11:00 a.m. CET
Please register to attend the press briefing by writing to: press.vienna[at]un.org
Please indicate if you wish to attend the briefing virtually or in-person.
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To receive an advance copy of the press kit and for interview requests, please contact:
Christine Dierk
Public Information Officer, UNIS Vienna
Tel: (+43)699-1459-4949
Email: dierk[at]un.org
Barbados signed and deposited its instrument of ratification for the United Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships (the “Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships”) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 8 May 2025.
Journalists are invited to cover the 34th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) to be held from 19 to 23 May in Vienna, Austria.
"On this Day of Vesak, I extend my warmest wishes to Buddhists worldwide as they commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha." — António Guterres
"In a world plagued by conflict and division, World Press Freedom Day highlights a fundamental truth: Freedom for people depends on freedom of the press." — António Guterres
