The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has signed a law on the legalization of medical cannabis. This document regulates the use of cannabis in medical, industrial, and scientific spheres. Virusoff warmly welcomes and expresses its full support for such decisions aimed at improving the quality of life and providing access to innovative treatments.
The legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine is an important step toward providing patients with the necessary tools to fight diseases. We believe in the power of scientific advances and are excited to see countries that are keeping up with advances in health and medicine.
Discussions about the need to legalize medical marijuana in Ukraine began back in 2016. President Zelensky supported the initiative back during his 2019 election campaign, stating the need for honest legalization of medical cannabis-based products for everyone who needs them. “We must eventually honestly legalize cannabis-based medicines for everyone who needs it,” – he stated.
The bill was approved in the first reading in July 2023, and on December 21 of the same year, the Verkhovna Rada passed it in the second reading with the votes of 248 parliamentarians. “The law on regulating the circulation of plants of the genus cannabis (Cannabis) for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities to create conditions to expand access of patients to the necessary treatment of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from war” was signed by the President on February 13, will come into force six months after publication. It provides for strict control over the production of cannabis-based medicines, including mandatory licensing and GMP certification for legal entities involved in cannabis cultivation. The entire production process will be monitored with access from the National Police. In addition, the law provides for a new mechanism for obtaining medicinal cannabis-based products – they will be available only by electronic prescription.