WHO chief opposes cannabis

Cannabis leaf on a pill bottle as alternative medicine concept. PHOTO| FOTOSEARCH

The head of World Health Organisation says countries should think twice before legalising recreational marijuana.

"Of course we believe that people who need it, especially for pain management, should have it. There should be access," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, but added that access should be clearly regulated.

He emphasised that throwing open the doors to full legalisation carries its own health risks.

"Any addictive substance is not good for human health. We wouldn't encourage countries to follow those who are actually ... legalising it."

Dr Tedros said that drugs like marijuana need to be controlled because of the risk they pose outside medical settings.

For countries that do proceed with recreational legalisation, Tedros said they should closely monitor the impact on their citizens' health. "We hope legalising it will not mean that they are really not to be encouraged to study its impact."