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Ukraine Moves Closer To Legalizing Medical Cannabis

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

Days ago Ukraine’s cabinet approved a draft medical cannabis bill, sending it to Parliament for consideration. Compared to other countries in the region, Ukraine has been very slow to reform its medical cannabis policies.

“The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported the bill that will regulate the circulation of cannabis plants for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities. This bill will expand patients’ access to the necessary treatment for a number of diseases, including cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder.” Ukraine’s Ministry of Health stated in a news release.

“We understand the negative consequences of war on the state of mental health. We understand the number of people who will need medical treatment as a result of this impact. And we understand that there is no time to wait. Therefore, we have already prepared a legislative basis to ensure a full cycle of cannabis-based drug production in Ukraine: from cultivation and processing to full-fledged production.” Minister of Healthcare Viktor Liashko wrote in a Facebook post about the measure.

“At the same time, we still propose to establish strict control over the cultivation, production and implementation of drugs, understanding the sensitivity of this issue in society and are ready to gradually develop this industry, showing the results of treatment and help oh to Ukrainian patients. Not to import, but to do ours, Ukrainian! Historically, cannabis-based drugs have been used to reduce pain, spasms and muscle strains, treat anorexia, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. In addition, they are used in the treatment of individual types of epilepsy, glaucoma, psoriasis, parkinsonism, multiple sclerosis. An important purpose of this medication is to alleviate the pain and suffering of seriously ill and palliative patients, including cancer patients and HIV patients.” Liashko went on to write.

According to the Ukraine Ministry of Health’s news release, the measure would ‘License economic activities for the cultivation of varieties of plants of the genus Cannabis for medical purposes’ as well as ‘authorize the cultivation of varieties of plants of the genus Cannabis for medical, industrial purposes, in scientific and scientific-technical activities.’

The measure now moves to Ukraine’s Parliament for consideration.

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Ukraine Delays Medical Cannabis Legalization Vote

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Politics.

Government again pushes can down the road as top officials deliberately delay serious discussion on basic medical cannabis reform.

Cannabis reform in Ukraine is continuing to be painfully slow. The cabinet has again delayed a meaningful vote on reform after promising the same in April – and which, ultimately, is a bunch of legislative text with really no meaning. Certainly not for patients, much less the nascent industry that lies behind this.

There are several debates afoot in Ukraine right now and at high levels over cannabis – namely, whether synthetic drugs are better options – and whether to craft a market based solely on the same. At a deeper level, this discussion is about the right to grow cannabis at all – much use it in a form that is not pharmacized in some fashion – even for medical use.

The fight on the ground right now is one of the most contentious left in the world as a result. And this is over basic medical CBD access for child epileptics. When it comes to any form of THC, officials are referring to older, cannabinoid-containing drugs that are not only expensive but not as effective for a wide range of conditions as say, whole plant medication.

For all the advances, in other words, in certain parts of Europe if not the rest of the world, it is often easy to find reflections of a past world that no longer exists.

Given the spreading understanding of cannabis as medicine, who really, would convict a desperate parent for growing hemp in the basement to help their desperately sick child?

How Can Broader Cannabis Reform Be Promoted Globally?

The situation in Ukraine has been bubbling for some time – with German activists (in particular) if not members of the industry actively seeking some way to help those on the ground. 

Here is the good news. The world has changed, rather dramatically, in the last 14 months, and it is not going to just go back. Digital networks, education, and a sense of building a new kind of medicine if not medicine delivery is all now on the front burners of governments everywhere. Cannabis and cannabis reform features prominently in all these discussions.

In the meantime, those on the ground fight on, facing a familiar feeling if not battle. This time, however, the world is watching.

Be sure to book your tickets now to upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference events!