Illegal Drugs Laws: Clearing a 50-Year-Old Obstacle to Research
PLoS Biology January 27, 2015 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002047 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Clearing Schedule Obstacle Medical research |
| Citations | 66 |
| Key points | Argues that the UN drug control conventions have inadvertently restricted medical and life sciences research, and that revision is needed to allow neuroscience progress and treatment innovation for brain disorders. |
Abstract
The United Nations drug control conventions of 1960 and 1971 and later additions have inadvertently resulted in perhaps the greatest restrictions of medical and life sciences research. These conventions now need to be revised to allow neuroscience to progress unimpeded and to assist in the innovation of treatments for brain disorders. In the meantime, local changes, such as the United Kingdom moving cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2, should be implemented to allow medical research to develop appropriately.