For the first time in its history, Mondiacult, UNESCO's flagship conference on cultural policies, will give prominence to cannabis. The event marks the centenary of the international prohibition of the plant and reflects its growing cultural acceptance.

The UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development is the world's largest, bringing together delegations from 194 Member States to set the global cultural agenda for the coming years.

Historic initiative on the cultural agenda

Between September 29 and October 1, during the 25th edition of the event, civil society organizations FAAAT (Forum Drugs Mediterranean) and the Cannabis Embassy will advocate for the centrality of cannabis in the debates. The action takes place as the United Nations prepares its post-2030 development framework.

The entities presented two official contributions: a technical document entitled "Cannabis: A plant without borders. A cultural diagnosis one hundred years after prohibition" and a report on the role of cannabis communities in preserving intangible cultural heritage.

"Mondiacult is the largest international gathering dedicated to culture, bringing together thousands of participants who will shape the global agenda in the coming years," said Sébastien Béguerie, President of FAAAT.

Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli, an expert in international drug policy, added that the 2025 edition represents a "decisive moment" to include cannabis-related cultures in the UN's next development strategy.

A century of prohibition under review

This inclusion of cannabis in the debate coincides with the centenary of its listing as a "narcotic" by international law. The initiatives at Mondiacult aim to reshape this legacy, integrating plant-related practices into heritage and sustainability programs.

This reflects a global trend of moving away from prohibition towards cultural recognition. FAAAT, which has been working on drug policy reform for over two decades, played a key role in the reclassification of cannabis by the UN in 2020.

The Legacy of 1925

The year 1925 marked the birth of international cannabis control. On February 19 of that year, the Geneva Convention on Opium included "Indian hemp" in the list of controlled substances, at the request of Egypt, making cannabis, for the first time, an internationally controlled drug.

Conference documents point out that conservative governments, such as those of Brazil, Egypt, and South Africa, were able to extend their "racist, colonialist, and intolerant views" on the plant to the planet. The 1925 Convention generated treaties that are still in force, such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961.

With information from Business of cannabis