Ukraine’s medical cannabis legalization policy took effect last Friday, August 16, the Kyiv Independent reports. The change in cannabis policy comes as the country continues to defend itself against Russia, which launched an invasion against its neighbor Ukraine more than two years ago.
Under the policy, military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cancer patients are allowed to purchase and utilize medical cannabis so long as it is prescribed by a doctor. Experts say that about 30% of soldiers in Ukraine may be impacted by PTSD and the Ukrainian Electronic Healthcare System (EHS) indicates a significant increase in the number of PTSD patients in the last two years, the report said.
“Cannabis, its resin, extracts, and tinctures are excluded from the list of particularly dangerous substances. Previously, their circulation was prohibited — now it is allowed, but with certain restrictions. In order to ensure the cultivation of medical cannabis in Ukraine, licensing conditions have been developed, which will soon be considered by the Cabinet of Ministers. Also, the entire chain of circulation of medical cannabis, from import or cultivation to dispensing to a patient in a pharmacy, will be subject to license control.” — Ministry of Health statement, via Marijuana Moment
The legalization policy was passed by lawmakers in December 2023 and signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelensky — who called for legalizing medical cannabis during his 2019 presidential election campaign — in February 2024.
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