President of Ukraine Zelensky Supports Legalization of Medical Cannabis
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has called on lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis today in order to help Ukrainians overcome "pain, stress, and war-related traumas." He emphasized the need to develop the field of mental and physical rehabilitation in the country.
The head of state made this announcement during his speech in the Verkhovna Rada to commemorate Constitution Day of Ukraine.
According to the president, Ukraine should adopt the best global practices in physical and mental rehabilitation, including the construction of rehabilitation centers and the training of qualified professionals.
"All the best world practices, all the most effective practices, and all the solutions, no matter how challenging or unconventional they may seem to us, should be implemented in Ukraine so that Ukrainians, both men and women, all our citizens, do not have to endure pain, stress, and war-related traumas," said the president.
Zelensky expressed support not only for the legalization of medical cannabis but also for its controlled production in Ukraine.
"In particular, we must finally honestly legalize cannabis-based medicines for those in need, support relevant scientific research, and establish controlled production within Ukraine," Zelensky stated.
It is worth noting that last year, the Cabinet of Ministers supported a bill that regulates the use of cannabis plants of the genus Cannabis for medical, industrial, and scientific purposes in Ukraine. According to Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health has prepared the legislative framework to ensure the complete production cycle of cannabis-based medicines in Ukraine, from cultivation and processing to full-scale production.
Cannabis-based medicines will be used for the treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders resulting from war.
Cannabis medications will not compete with narcotic substances, the circulation of which is illegal since "medical" cannabis contains cannabidiol, which does not have pronounced psychoactive effects.
The use of cannabis is permitted with restrictions in many countries, including European nations. In the Netherlands, marijuana can be purchased and consumed only in specialized shops and coffee houses (up to 5 grams per person). In Germany, marijuana is illegal, but personal use in small quantities is not punishable. Moreover, each region sets its own limit for personal marijuana possession.
Cannabis has also been partially legalized in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Norway, Greece, Australia, and Georgia.
Last week, the Council of Ministers of Albania voted in favor of approving a bill to legalize the production of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes.