Zelensky supports legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine

During his speech in the Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, on June 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine needs to legalize medical cannabis in Ukraine, Rubryka reports.

What is the problem?

Six million people in Ukraine will need cannabis-based medicine, said First Deputy Minister of Health Oleksandr Komarida.

He said more than 2 million Ukrainians needed such drugs before the full-scale war. As a result of the war, about 4 million more will require medical cannabis treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

What is the solution?

Medical cannabis can alleviate the course of up to 50 pathological conditions. It is used to treat anxiety disorders, certain types of epilepsy, glaucoma, psoriasis, parkinsonism, and multiple sclerosis and alleviate the suffering of cancer patients and HIV patients.

How does it work?

"We must finally honestly legalize cannabis-based medicine, relevant scientific research, and controlled Ukrainian production for everyone who needs it," Zelensky said.

The president spoke about the legalization of medical cannabis in the context of mental and physical rehabilitation development in Ukraine. According to Zelensky, Ukraine should create Europe's "strongest" rehabilitation industry.

"All the world's best practices, all the most effective policies, all solutions, no matter how difficult or unusual they may seem, should be applied in Ukraine so that Ukrainians do not have to endure the pain, stress, and trauma of war," Zelensky emphasized.

Background 

The use of cannabis for medical purposes is allowed in 56 countries of the world, including EU countries such as Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, as well as Israel, Great Britain, USA, and Canada.

Back in 2019, a bill was introduced in the Verkhovna Rada, which was supposed to allow the circulation of medical cannabis in Ukraine and would also give scientists the right to research it. The Human Rights Committee supported the bill, but it went no further. In 2021, it was again proposed to legalize medical cannabis with the help of a new draft law or Cabinet resolution. But the Ukrainian parliament again did not support the initiative and sent the draft law for revision. Previously, it was possible to legalize only certain drugs based on cannabis. Even this decision was criticized by organizations of cancer patients because imported drugs cost from $600 to $2,000, which is too expensive for many.

The new draft of law No. 74 was registered with the Verkhovna Rada in June 2022, took into account all comments to the previous draft law, the Ministry of Health says.

We will remind you that Ukraine has legalized two medical preparations with cannabis.