Ukraine's parliament has passed a new law legalizing the medical use of marijuana in an effort to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the ongoing Russian war. According to the official website of the legislative body, parliament on Thursday approved the bill allowing the use of marijuana for the “necessary treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders.” The law was passed with 284 votes in favor, 16 votes against, 33 abstentions and 40 members who did not vote.
According to news agency ANI, the new law will now come into effect after six months. The law would regulate “the movement of hemp plants (Cannabis) for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities in order to create the conditions for expanding patients' access to the necessary treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders, which are considered consequently be received from the war,” according to the final version of the bill.
The Speaker of Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said: “The list of conditions and ways of using cannabis medicines will be established by the Ministry of Health.”
The possible legalization of medical marijuana has long been debated in Ukraine. The proposal was discussed and assessed over a year after its introduction in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also supported the push to legalize medical marijuana. In June 2023, he even addressed his country's parliament and called for the drug's legalization.
“We must finally legalize cannabis-based medicines fairly for all who need them, with appropriate scientific research and controlled Ukrainian production,” Mr Zelensky had said, according to a local press translation.
“All the best practices in the world, all the most effective policies, all solutions, no matter how difficult or unusual they may seem to us, must be applied to Ukraine so that Ukrainians, all citizens, do not have to endure the pain. stress and trauma of the war,” he added.
According to Parliament's website, the Ministry of Health will now determine details of the specific conditions and medications allowed under the new law. “The law provides citizens with access to necessary treatment for serious diseases, including cancer and post-traumatic stress disorders caused by war. The list of conditions and methods of using cannabis medicines will be determined by the Ministry of Health,” the official website said. read.