WHO RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE UN COMMISSION ON

UNCLAS PARIS 000445 SIPDIS FOR INL/PC (KATHLEEN PALA/CHRISTINE CLINE); OES/IHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR UNCND UNCRIME FR SUBJECT: WHO RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE UN COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS (CND) TO CHANGE CONTROLS ON SYNTHETIC THC (DRONABINOL): FRENCH REPONSE REF: (06) SECSTATE 195365 ¶1. Embassy science officer delivered demarche in REFTEL to Emmanuel Jean, Head of European and International Affairs at the French Ministry of Health, on 11 December 2006. Ms. Jean referred the demarche to AFSSAPS, the French agency for the sanitary security of health products, which is responsible in the French government for classifying Dronabinol. Embassy followed up with Ms. Jean on 30 January. ¶2. AFSSAPS reports that the question of changing the statute for Dronabinol will be examined by the National Commission on Depressants and Psychotropic Drugs at the end of February ¶2007. In 2003, the Commission had examined the WHO's proposal to transfer the Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol from Schedule II to Schedule IV of the Convention of 1971. The Commission considered that: the therapeutic interests of Delta-9-THC was limited and that its potential for abuse and dependence was recognized. In effect, the Commission was not in favor of the transfer. AFSSAPS will inform the Embassy of its conclusions on dronabinol when they become available. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON