Ukrainian lawmakers back legalization of medical cannabis

[December 22, 2023]  (Reuters) - Ukrainian lawmakers voted to legalize the medical use of cannabis on Thursday after activists and supporters called for the step in order to treat millions of people including soldiers wounded in the war with Russia.

The bill was backed by 248 lawmakers, senior lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak wrote on Telegram messenger. Selling or supplying cannabis for recreational use would remain a criminal offence.

Mariia Mezentseva, a lawmaker who had pushed for the bill in parliament, said medical cannabis was needed by 6 million Ukrainians, including cancer patients, civilians with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and wounded soldiers.

The war launched by Russia in February 2022 has killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed settlements and driven millions of people from their homes. The fighting rages on with no sign it is about to end.

The bill must be signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before it becomes law. It would only come into force six months after it is officially published.

Opposition lawmaker Yuliia Tymoshenko, prime minister from 2007 to 2010, had staunchly opposed the legislation, arguing that recreational drug use would proliferate in Ukraine.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addresses Ukrainian lawmakers during a parliament session, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 6, 2023. REUTERS/Andrii Nesterenko/File Photo

The legislation would impose strict controls on the production of medical cannabis, including 24-hour video surveillance accessible by the police of producers who would have to be licensed, Zhelezniak said.

Medicine containing medical cannabis would only be available by electronic prescription under the bill, he said.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

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