The Convention of 1936 for the Suppression of the Illicit Traffic in Dangerous Drugs was signed in Geneva on 26 June 1936, in a single copy deposited in the archives of the Secretariat of the League of Nations, the French and English texts being equally authentic. A Protocol of Signature was concluded at the same sitting. Depositary: the Secretary-General of the League, later the Secretary-General of the United Nations. It is not the Hague Convention of 1912, nor the Geneva Convention of 1925, nor the 1931 Convention for limiting manufacture, which the preamble invokes.

Article 1, at framework level, defines narcotic drugs by reference to those three earlier conventions. Article 2: the parties agree to punish severely, particularly by imprisonment, acts contrary to those conventions, together with intentional participation, conspiracy and attempts. Articles 3–5: extra-territorial jurisdiction over their own nationals, distinct offences if committed in different countries, and severe punishment of contraventions of national law on cultivation where such law exists. A trafficking or investigative handbook is not transcribed.

Articles 7–9, still at framework level: prosecution of nationals who have returned from abroad where extradition of nationals is not recognised; prosecution of foreigners under stated conditions; inclusion of Article 2 offences as extradition crimes. Articles 10–13: seizure, central offices for co-operation, and letters of request. A mutual-assistance playbook is not transcribed.

Article 19: open for signature until 31 December 1936 on behalf of Members of the League and invited non-member States. Article 20: ratification with the Secretary-General. Article 21: accession from 1 January 1937. Article 22: it comes into force ninety days after the tenth ratification or accession, and shall be registered on that date. League/UNTC: 26 October 1939, LNTS 4648, volume 198. Article 23: later instruments, likewise ninety days. Article 24: denunciation after five years. It is not the Single Convention of 1961, which as between common parties replaces Article 9.

Cover: Palais Wilson, the League headquarters of the conference period, on Lake Geneva; we do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Convention for the Suppression of the Illicit Traffic in Dangerous Drugs; Convention of 1936 for the Suppression of the Illicit Traffic in Dangerous Drugs (UNTC VI-12-a).