News Feed

Parliament passes first reading of bill on medical cannabis legalization

2 min read
Parliament passes first reading of bill on medical cannabis legalization
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine on December 28, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has approved the draft law on legalizing medical cannabis in the first reading, lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko said on July 13.

The bill was supported by 268 out of 405 deputies. To become law, it has to be adopted in the second reading (possibly after undergoing some changes) and then signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The draft law proposes to license the economic activity of cultivating hemp for medical, industrial, and scientific purposes. It aims to help Ukrainian war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, people with cancer, and other serious diseases to get pain relief and reduce other symptoms.

According to the bill, hemp circulation would be under strict control of the state, and only people with a doctor's prescription could buy cannabis-based drugs.

Zelensky spoke in support of the draft law on medical cannabis in his address to the parliament on Constitution Day on June 28.

"We must finally honestly legalize cannabis-based medicines, relevant scientific research, and controlled Ukrainian production for everyone who needs it," Zelensky said, as cited by Hromadske media outlet.

Zelensky added that Ukraine should create the strongest mental and physical rehabilitation system in Europe.

"This concerns both the construction of rehabilitation centers and the training of relevant personnel... All the best world practices, the most effective policies, solutions, no matter how difficult or unusual, should be applied in Ukraine."

‘I work, then I cry’: Exhausted medics near Bakhmut fight for every life
Editor’s note: In this story, the Kyiv Independent is not disclosing the Ukrainian soldiers’ full names or their deployed positions due to security concerns amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Donetsk Oblast – At an abandoned building about 20 minutes drive from Bakhmut, wounded Ukrainian soldiers pou…
Article image
Avatar
Dinara Khalilova

Reporter

Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.

Read more
News Feed
 (Updated:  )

Ukrainians on July 25 participated in mass protests against a controversial new law impacting anti-corruption agencies for the fourth day in a row. President Zelensky earlier addressed criticism of the law, saying there should have been a dialogue between parliament and society before its adoption.

Show More