According to the May 2017 update of the International Narcotics Control Board ("NCB"), a regulatory body of the United Nations, Canada leads the world in its estimated legal demand for cannabis, at 67 289 650 grams, or approximately 67.3 metric tons. In behind Canada is Colombia, with an estimated legal demand of 40.5 tons, and the United States of America, with an estimated legal demand of 33.5 tons.
Countries that are signatories to a trio of narcotics control agreements, namely the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, The Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and The United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, participate in an international system in which countries report to the NCB their estimated domestic needs for certain controlled substances, such as a cannabis, and then report their actual consumption or use at the end of the stated time period. This "Estimate and Return" system is meant to ensure that all countries are able to gain access to controlled substances for the purposes that have been agreed to in these treaties, which include ensuring that their populations have access to and may benefit from medical treatment involving the controlled substances, and ensuring there is sufficient supply for any medical research and other scientific purposes. The "Estimate and Return" system is meant to provide an accounting for the international production and trade of controlled substances, and is intended to limit the potential for the diversion of controlled substances from legal uses to illegal uses in the international market.
Originally published on Canada Cannabis Legal by Spencer Bailey on June 29, 2017.
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