Ukraine Parliament Gives Initial Approval to Medical Cannabis Legalization Proposal

KYIV– The Ukraine Parliament has taken a significant step towards the legalization of medical cannabis by granting initial approval to a proposed legislation. The bill, which still requires potential amendments and a second reading, must pass these stages before it reaches President Volodymyr Zelensky for final approval, as reported by the Kyiv Post.

According to People’s Deputy Iryna Herashchenko, the bill’s objective extends beyond medicinal use, aiming to address concerns related to the industrial cultivation of cannabis and potential corruption schemes tied to government permits and financial activities. The legalization is intended to facilitate the treatment of conditions such as PTSD, cancer-related pain, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and more. Herashchenko emphasizes the need to address corruption within the cultivation process and underscores the importance of drug prevention, advocating for strict state control in the production and sale of cannabis, similar to the regulations governing tobacco and alcohol. Herashchenko believes that Ukraine should produce its own cannabis-based medications under stringent government supervision.

The proposed legislation, supported by the Ministry of Health, aims to establish a licensing system for cultivating specific cannabis strains for medical purposes. It also calls for rigorous monitoring of the production and distribution of medical cannabis and related products. To ensure traceability throughout the supply chain, each batch of medical cannabis will be labeled with a unique barcode.

President Zelensky has expressed his support for the plan, while a survey conducted during local elections in October 2022 indicated that 65% of Ukrainians back these reforms. The potential legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine signifies a significant development in the country’s approach to alternative medical treatments, subject to further legislative processes and eventual approval.