43% of Ukrainians support legalizing medical cannabis – survey

57% of Ukrainians are in favor of legalizing medical cannabis for pain relief. In general, 43% of Ukrainians hold a positive view of the legalization of this substance.

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology's (KIIS) survey reveals this.

Respondents were asked questions with three different wordings:

• attitude to the legalization of medical cannabis without additional explanations;
• attitude towards the legalization of medical cannabis, with an emphasis on the fact that it will relieve the pain of many patients (in particular, cancer patients and wounded soldiers);
• attitude to the legalization of medical cannabis, specifying that it is a light drug – marijuana.

The survey showed that support for legalizing cannabis depends on the wording of the question. Thus, the emphasis on pain relief with the help of this substance increased Ukrainians' commitment to such a decision by 14%.

In general:

• 43% of Ukrainians answered that they have a positive attitude towards the legalization of medical cannabis,
• 16% – negative,
• and 41% are undecided or have a neutral attitude.

In the context of pain relief, 57% of Ukrainians approve of the legalization of medical cannabis. At the same time, 14% have a negative attitude, and another 28% are neutral or uncertain. With clarification about the light drug, 45% of respondents answered that they have a positive attitude towards legalization. However, the number of opponents increased to 23%. Another 32% were neutral or undecided.

• The majority of support for legalization was voiced in the Central region of Ukraine (53%).
• The lowest percentage is found in the Southern region (43%), while opponents make up the highest percentage in the Eastern region (24%).
• The lowest percentage of opponents can be found in the Western region (14%).

Respondents aged 60-69 expressed support for legalization more often than others (57%). People aged 18-29 expressed the least opinion against it (7%).

"Now we are observing fundamental changes in the minds of citizens, who already have a positive attitude towards legalization. However, caution should be exercised. A fairly large share of those with a neutral or uncertain attitude remains. In addition, the law has only just been entered into force, and it is important to know what form it will take. We can expect narratives about "corruption in this area," about "turning Ukraine into a drug laboratory," etc. That is, opponents of legalization retain the opportunity to influence public opinion, and this should be taken into account so that there is no retreat from the current (rather positive) state," Anton Hrushetsky, executive director of KIIS, said.

The survey was conducted in May 2024. More than 1,000 respondents from territories controlled by Ukraine took part in it.

For reference:

It should be noted that on August 16, the law on the legalization of medical cannabis came into force in Ukraine. Doctors can now prescribe cannabis-based drugs to patients, but they will only be available with an electronic prescription.

The draft law provides that:

• the distribution of marijuana for recreational consumption will continue to be a crime and will be investigated by the police by the law;
• drug production will be strictly controlled at all stages; only legal entities that receive the appropriate license and GMP certificate will be able to grow under 24-hour video surveillance with access for the National Police; each bush will have individual coding to track the movement of the plants to the patient;
• drugs based on medical cannabis can be obtained only with an electronic prescription. This prescription will be prescribed by the doctor to the patient according to his condition, as is currently the case with morphine.

All information about these medicines will be registered in a specially created accounting system. Each cannabis bush will be individually coded to track its movement from cultivation to patient.

The circulation of cannabis remains regulated and limited.