Espreso. Global
Updated

Ukrainian parliament passes bill on medical cannabis in second reading

21 December, 2023 Thursday
15:15

On December 21, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the draft law on medical cannabis in the second reading. This decision was supported by 248 MPs

client/title.list_title

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak reports.

The draft law regulates the cannabis trade only in medical, industrial and scientific activities. The marijuana distribution for recreational use will continue to be subject to criminal liability. "Medicinal production will be strictly controlled at all stages. Only legal entities that obtain the appropriate license and GMP certificate will be able to grow under 24-hour video surveillance with access for the National Police. Each plant will be individually coded to track the movement of plants to the patient," Zheleznyak emphasized.

Medicinal cannabis-based drugs will be available only by electronic prescription. "The doctor will issue this prescription to the patient according to their condition, as is currently the case with morphine," the politician clarified.

The law will come into force six months after its publication, i.e. approximately in the second half of 2024.

Eurosolidarity's position

EU MP Iryna Herashchenko explained that the fraction abstained from voting because not a single amendment from the faction was taken into account, and the law itself contains mutually exclusive regulations. "The law is needed to legislate the possibility of using cannabis for medicinal purposes, without the risk of criminal liability for doctors, pharmacists and patients. However, it does not improve the system of control over the circulation. The law contains many contradictory provisions when one article prohibits what another article allows. And the decision on which provision to use will be made by the police investigator, which creates grounds for corruption," Herashchenko explained.

According to her, the state budget for 2024 does not include expenditures for the electronic drug accounting system. That is, it will not start working when it is defined by law, but industrial hemp cultivation will begin. "This law is not about the medical use of cannabis, but about its industrial production. At the same time, the Minister of Health admitted that the production of Ukrainian medicines based on cannabis can be established no earlier than in 3 years," the MP summarized.

The Servant of the People’s position

MP from the Servant of the People faction Yevheniya Kravchuk refuted several myths about medical cannabis and emphasized that its legalization has nothing to do with drugs, it does not cause physical dependence and will be dispensed only to patients with a doctor's prescription and in the form of medicines. "According to the US National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, medical cannabis is used to treat more than 50 pathological conditions," the politician wrote.

She also denied that every pharmacy in Ukraine will be able to produce any medicines from cannabis raw materials."Patients will receive medicines only in those pharmacies that have the appropriate license and storage conditions," Kravchuk said.

The Ministry of Health's reaction

The Ministry of Health called the adoption of the bill a historic decision. "We thank you on behalf of the medical community for the decision, because medical cannabis is a medicine for millions of people: cancer patients, people with multiple sclerosis, patients receiving palliative care, etc.", the statement says.

The ministry noted that a list of diseases and conditions for which patients have the right to receive cannabis-based medicines will be approved in the near future.

The Ministry of Health emphasized that cannabis-based medicines are authorized in 56 countries.

Background

In July 2021, the Verkhovna Rada did not support the draft law on medical cannabis No. 5596. The document was returned for revision. At the time, MP Mykola Kniazhytskyi emphasized that the cannabis bill should clearly spell out control over the cultivation of hemp.

In November 2021, the draft law on medical cannabis was submitted for public discussion.

On June 10, 2022, the Verkhovna Rada registered a government bill on medical cannabis under the number 7457. Before that, the government supported the legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine.

A number of Ukrainian public organizations demanded that the Verkhovna Rada adopt the draft law. The draft law, titled "On Regulation of the Turnover of Cannabis Plants for Medical, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Purposes to Create Conditions for Expanding Patients' Access to the Necessary Treatment of Cancer and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Caused by War," does not provide for full legalization, but allows the use of the plant only for medical and scientific purposes.

The explanatory note to the draft law states that the expediency of the therapeutic use of cannabis has been confirmed by scientists for the following conditions. palliative care (mainly cannabis-based drugs are used to relieve a range of symptoms in cancer patients who need help, including pain relief, eating disorders, and sleep).

On July 7, the Ministry of Health announced its support for the bill on the legalization of medical cannabis, and on July 13, the Verkhovna Rada supported the document in the first reading.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Monday
4 November
21:40
Over 80 million tons of cargo exported through Ukrainian sea corridor
21:25
Rheinmetall to finish building second military plant in Ukraine soon - NATO 
21:07
Exclusive
First display of Shahed-136B, September 2024, open source photo
Ukraine, Russia both depend on Chinese components - Defense Express
20:48
Canada sends NASAMS air defense system to Ukraine
20:29
Russian army increases activity in Lyman direction - Ukraine’s General Staff
20:10
Over 1,000 injured by Russian mines in Ukraine since February 2022, including 100 children
19:48
Exclusive
Ukraine surrender ideas are extremely unpopular among Americans - Ukrainian MP
19:25
Ukraine signs $600 million agreements with World Bank
19:02
OPINION
Moldova: How outflow of people impacts elections
18:43
57 journalists killed, 45 injured since full-scale war began in Ukraine
18:20
OPINION
Not only U.S. elections...
17:57
Patriarch Kirill says Jesus Christ did not condemn death penalty
17:35
Russia deploying ten times more Shahed drones than last fall - Zelenskyy
17:16
Ukraine restores last of three bridges destroyed by Russia over Desna River
16:55
Russia proposed peace deal to Ukraine just 11 days after invasion, suggesting terms akin to capitulation
16:39
"Life inspires me": how Ukrainian teenagers support other children in frontline city
16:15
Zelenskyy meets top defense officials, reports developments in supply of Western aid
15:56
Borrell urges South Korea to boost support for Ukraine
15:46
Updated
Sandu officially recognized as President of Moldova for second term
15:35
KIIS poll: Fewer Ukrainians willing to endure war indefinitely
15:13
Espreso included in White List of Transparent and Responsible Media
14:53
Exclusive
"Axis of evil" takes advantage of U.S. presidential campaign — former Ukrainian MP
14:34
OPINION
Moscow, Beijing view Turkey as part of the West, not an authoritarian ally
14:16
Russia's major military vehicles supplier KamAZ reports multi-million losses
13:57
OPINION
Elections in Moldova: What conclusions can Ukraine draw
13:36
Indonesia, Russia begin first-ever naval drills amid foreign policy shift
13:16
Zelenskyy, global leaders congratulate Maia Sandu on her election victory in Moldova
12:55
Josep Borrell visits South Korea as concerns rise over North Korean troops in Russia
12:37
German Foreign Minister Baerbock assures Kyiv of support ahead of U.S. vote
12:16
Top Russian Guard official Mirzaev arrested on bribery charges - media
11:57
Exclusive
Russia adjusts tactics in use of Shahed drones — military expert Zgurets
11:36
Exclusive
Ukraine in "complex defense" on Kurakhove front, says 33rd Brigade acting press officer
11:15
169 clashes at Russian-Ukrainian front: Russia attacks in Kurakhove, Pokrovsk sectors
10:55
U.S. State Department funds 800 mobile fire teams in Ukraine this year, says Ambassador Brink
10:16
Russia bombs Ukraine's Kharkiv, injuring at least 15, casualties feared under rubble
09:45
Russian losses since start of Ukraine invasion exceed 700,000 soldiers
2024, Sunday
3 November
21:46
OPINION
“Quiet voters” are secret weapon of both candidates in U.S. elections
21:16
Exclusive
Ukraine's economic situation remarkably strong for three years into war, economist says
20:48
Russia allegedly plans to interfere with voting abroad in Moldova's elections
20:17
Kurakhove, Pokrovsk sectors endure intense Russian assaults
More news