The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) invited civil society organisations to analyse the trend to legalise the non-medical use of drugs with an emphasis on cannabis
The meeting was held online on 25th May 2022 and was hosed by the INCB in the margins of their 134th session. Eight NGO representatives, selected through an open call in April 2022, had the opportunity to present their views regarding analysing the trend to legalise the non-medical use of drugs with an emphasis on cannabis
INCB President Jagjit Pavadia, in her opening remarks, highlighted the the importance of hearing civil society inputs for the topic of focus of the INCB annual report. This was echoed by the chair of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) Jamie Bridge who stressed that these civil society hearings, are a great opportunity for NGOs to have a dialogue with the Board, and that the presentations showcase the wide range of activities and opinions among civil society organisations.
The eight civil society representatives covered various aspects of the topic that ranged from legal analyses, commercialisation, to country specific examples of regulation.
The NGO presentations and statements are available below. The INCB published a press release, summarising the proceedings.
- Sara Ozhan, Turkish Green Crescent: Statement
- Karen Mamo, ReLeaf Malta: Statement, video
- Frida Daniela Ibarra Olguín, México Unido Contra la Delincuencia (MUCD): Statement, video
- Cristina von Sperling Afridi, Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation, Pakistan: Statement, video
- Sara Velimirovic, Students For Sensible Drug Policy, International: Statement, video
- Kevin Sabet, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), USA: Statement, video
- Kenzi Riboulet Zemouli, Independent researcher, Algeria: Statement, slides, video
- John Walsh, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), USA: Statement, video
