A United Nations commission has approved removing cannabis for medical purposes from a category of the world’s most dangerous drugs, such as heroin, opening the way for expanding research into medical marijuana and its use. The vote to reclassify medical cannabis won’t have any direct impact on global efforts to legalize the drug. But approval is considered a symbolic victory for advocates of reforming drug policy, as many countries look to the U.N. for guidance on health issues. The approval is likely to bolster research into medical marijuana—as well as legalization efforts that have accelerated over the past few years.
Meanwhile, a new study published in JAMA finds that even small amounts of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, can cause moderate but significant short-term driving impairment. While there was no similar finding for small amounts of CBD, researchers said the study showed the lower limit of clinically relevant driving impairment.
And it warned consumers not to assume they’re in good shape to drive after just four hours, or if they inhale higher doses or edible products. And finally, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has approved a measure to ban tobacco smoking inside apartment buildings—but will continue to allow smoking marijuana. The ordinance is intended to protect residents from secondhand smoke, and originally included banning cannabis smoking. But outraged activists said this would take away their only legal place to smoke, as it’s illegal under California law to smoke pot in public places.